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Hot dog day draws out Chilliwack mayor, music and fun at Strathcona elementary

Fun lunch at Chilliwack school a way to build school community, and support Community Services
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Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove serves hot dogs to students at Strathcona elementary on Pink Shirt Day, Feb. 24, 2021. (Jessica Peters/ Chilliwack Progress)

Hot Dog Day at Strathcona this week was about way more than a fun meal.

It was about creating an event that would excite the students and staff, as a thank you from the Parent Advisory Council (PAC). It was a way to keep up school spirit, and create an event in a year that has seen so many events cancelled.

And the Strathcona PAC hit the mark, with Mayor Ken Popove handing out each and every hot dog, rock music on scene from 89.5 The Drive, and even a dancing hot dog. The dogs were cooked up by the crew at L’il Joe’s Smokies and Dogs food truck, and handed out the window by Popove.

And because the event coincided with Pink Shirt Day, the students and staff were decked out in pink and carrying posters and other artwork to show their guests. One class of youngsters held a sign up that said “Kindness is our super power!” and each of them wore a light pink cape that flowed behind them as they paraded by the hot dog truck and gathered as small classroom groups for photos and met with interim superintendent Rohan Arul-Paragasm.

It was the 16th hot dog day brought to local schools through a collaboration between Chilliwack Community Services (CCS) and L’il Joe’s Smokies and Dogs food truck. Shirley Triemstra from CCS has been to every event since their first one back in October 2020, at Chilliwack Central elementary.

READ MORE: Chilliwack Community Services kicks off ‘I Care’ campaign with hot dog handout

It’s been a successful program that feeds the CCS I Care campaign, which is the organization’s end of year giving campaign. School PACs raise funds to pay for the L’il Joe’s to attend the school, which in turn supports a local small business. And all funds raised over and above go into the I Care campaign.

Strathcona was able to get a few sponsors to help with the efforts, including Tom Thompson Auto Glass, Abby Spring Service, Wrap It, and GFL, for a combined total of $1,250.

Triemstra says the mayor has been to many of the hot dog days.

“He’s great and he loves it,” she said, as Popove prepared for the event.

Someone suggested the idea to Triemstra as an alternative way for CCS to raise funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like all other organizations, their main fundraisers have had to be shelved due to safety concerns. And from the school perspective, the traditional hot dog day where parents cook in the school kitchen is not allowed under current guidelines.

“My goal was to do five,” Triemstra said, laughing. “My dream was to do 10.”

So the party celebration was fitting, as kids paraded through for their hot dogs in the sunshine, with their pink shirts and dancing to the music.

For more information on the I Care campaign and how to get involved, phone 604-792-4267.

READ MORE: Free COVID-related counselling on offer from Chilliwack Community Services


@CHWKcommunity
jpeters@theprogress.com

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Young students at Strathcona elementary in Chilliwack wave as they pass Shirley Treenstra of Chilliwack Community Services on Pink Shirt Day, Feb. 24, 2021. (Jessica Peters/ Chilliwack Progress)
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Each class at Strathcona elementary brought out artwork to share as they picked up their hot dogs from Mayor Ken Popove on Pink Shirt Day, Feb. 24, 2021. (Jessica Peters/ Chilliwack Progress)


Jessica Peters

About the Author: Jessica Peters

I began my career in 1999, covering communities across the Fraser Valley ever since.
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