Community

People check out the items for sale during the Chilliwack Rotary One-Day Book Sale on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

TOP STORIES 2020: How Chilliwack events pivoted in the time of COVID-19

Cancelled, virtual, drive-thru: people adapted to new ways of socializing in the midst of a pandemic

People check out the items for sale during the Chilliwack Rotary One-Day Book Sale on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
BJ Meeker and Helena Tetteroo with Mount Cheam Lions Club present a cheque for $1,671 to Chantelle Bowles from Canuck Place in Abbotsford on Dec. 22, 2020. (Submitted)

Chilliwack Lions donate $1,671 to Canuck Place in Abbotsford through raffle

Raffle prizes were all handmade wooden items by Mount Cheam Lions Club member Al Cain

BJ Meeker and Helena Tetteroo with Mount Cheam Lions Club present a cheque for $1,671 to Chantelle Bowles from Canuck Place in Abbotsford on Dec. 22, 2020. (Submitted)
City of Chilliwack councillor Jason Lum, seen at his home on March 28, 2020 with his wife Sheila and their newborn son, Cedar, shared a message on social media about finding hope amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “I realize there’s much more than fear and worry. There is hope, there is persistence, there is new life, and new growth, and there is community,” Lum wrote on Facebook on March 21, 2020. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

PHOTOS OF 2020: Heartwarming and heartbreaking images by Chilliwack Progress photojournalist

‘Instead of selecting just my best images, I also chose photos that remind me of how things were different in 2020’

City of Chilliwack councillor Jason Lum, seen at his home on March 28, 2020 with his wife Sheila and their newborn son, Cedar, shared a message on social media about finding hope amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “I realize there’s much more than fear and worry. There is hope, there is persistence, there is new life, and new growth, and there is community,” Lum wrote on Facebook on March 21, 2020. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
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K.J. Clare started Do Good Recklessly, a project where she delivered bouquets of flowers, anonymously and free, to people who could use a smile. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

TOP STORIES 2020: Pandemic brought out the best in many throughout the community

From free flowers to massive mask-making efforts, Chilliwack stepped up to support its own

K.J. Clare started Do Good Recklessly, a project where she delivered bouquets of flowers, anonymously and free, to people who could use a smile. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)
The Comox Firefighters Tree Recycling event is Jan. 2 and 3. Photo supplied

Annual Comox Firefighters fundraiser employs drive-through approach

This year’s Comox Firefighters Tree Recycling event will be different. This will…

  • Dec 28, 2020
The Comox Firefighters Tree Recycling event is Jan. 2 and 3. Photo supplied
Carmie Chittick holds two-year-old Elijah as he receives an early Christmas present. The community came together to bring toys, clothing and more to the young boy who tragically lost his mother in October. (Submitted)

‘Angels descended’ to bring Christmas gifts to two-year-old Chilliwack boy who lost his mother

Toys, clothing and more poured in for Elijah whose mom died in tragic Ballam Road crash in October

Carmie Chittick holds two-year-old Elijah as he receives an early Christmas present. The community came together to bring toys, clothing and more to the young boy who tragically lost his mother in October. (Submitted)
This is Jellybean the miniature horse. He is over 18 years old, cute as a button and sweet as can be. He lives in Yarrow with his draft horse friends at Freedom Acrobatics vaulting club. (Submitted by Pam Dykstra)

SLIDESHOW: Chilliwack Progress readers share their best holiday pet photos

From miniature horse to adventurous senior cat, Chilliwack animals get into the Christmas spirit

This is Jellybean the miniature horse. He is over 18 years old, cute as a button and sweet as can be. He lives in Yarrow with his draft horse friends at Freedom Acrobatics vaulting club. (Submitted by Pam Dykstra)
Staff from the Chilliwack and District Seniors’ Resources Society pick up stockings from Royal LePage Wheeler Cheam Realty on Dec. 21. (Submitted photo)

Stockings handed out to Chilliwack seniors and children for Christmas

Chilliwack realty office gathers $5,000 and fills 250 stockings for community members

Staff from the Chilliwack and District Seniors’ Resources Society pick up stockings from Royal LePage Wheeler Cheam Realty on Dec. 21. (Submitted photo)
James Donnett was the recipient of this 2006 Saturn Ion. The car was donated to Wilma’s Transition Society, which handed it over to Donnett on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020 after Murray Auto Group repaired the vehicle. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Car donated to Wilma’s Transition Society gets handed over to Chilliwack family

James Donnett and his young family were the recipients of the 2006 Saturn Ion giveaway

James Donnett was the recipient of this 2006 Saturn Ion. The car was donated to Wilma’s Transition Society, which handed it over to Donnett on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020 after Murray Auto Group repaired the vehicle. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Don Lehn at the Chilliwack Alano Club in June, 2019. The club has had to cancel its Christmas party for the children of members, but is still hoping to drum up a few treats to deliver. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

Chilliwack’s Alano Club still hoping to make Christmas bright for local kids

With their annual Christmas party cancelled due to restrictions, club appeals to community for help

Don Lehn at the Chilliwack Alano Club in June, 2019. The club has had to cancel its Christmas party for the children of members, but is still hoping to drum up a few treats to deliver. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)
Southside Church presents The Wonder Christmas Light Drive-Thru Dec. 19 to 23. (Screenshot/ Southside Church)

Church brings free drive-thru Christmas display to Chilliwack

Southside Church offers five days of lights with The Wonder Christmas Light Drive-Thru

Southside Church presents The Wonder Christmas Light Drive-Thru Dec. 19 to 23. (Screenshot/ Southside Church)
FG Leary elementary vice principal Devin Atkins, at left, and principal Jim Edgcombe pose in tutus with some of the donated food from their students and families, on Dec. 8, 2020 in Chilliwack. (Submitted photo)

FG Leary food donation challenge brought ‘laughter and excitement’ to school

Principals spent a day in tutus to reward students for supporting food hamper program

FG Leary elementary vice principal Devin Atkins, at left, and principal Jim Edgcombe pose in tutus with some of the donated food from their students and families, on Dec. 8, 2020 in Chilliwack. (Submitted photo)
McCammon elementary vice principal, Jaimee Charlie (right), along with Murray Honda volunteer Laeloni Kronebusch, carry boxes of non-perishable food to an awaiting vehicle at the school on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Chilliwack elementary school donates twice as many items to food bank as last year

McCammon elementary collected more than 2,000 non-perishable items for the Salvation Army food bank

McCammon elementary vice principal, Jaimee Charlie (right), along with Murray Honda volunteer Laeloni Kronebusch, carry boxes of non-perishable food to an awaiting vehicle at the school on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Ron Nicolaye and the pole on the Island Highway at the Campbell River bridge that a drunk driver crashed into in 1983, changing his life forever. Photo by Marc Kitteringham – Campbell River Mirror

Impaired driving survivor implores people to not drink and drive this holiday season

Campbell River man looks back on 37th anniversary of life-changing incident

Ron Nicolaye and the pole on the Island Highway at the Campbell River bridge that a drunk driver crashed into in 1983, changing his life forever. Photo by Marc Kitteringham – Campbell River Mirror
Now retired fire Capt. Gary Proznick received a kiss from a dalmatian puppy during a public education event earlier this year. It seemed a fitting goodbye for the retiring firefighter, the dalmatian being the iconic firehouse dog. He's featured in this year’s firefighter fundraising calendar. (Natalie Amoore/Special to Langley Advance Times)

Firefighter calendar boasts super cute factor

Langley Township fire crew return with a popular, and ideal last-minute gift idea

Now retired fire Capt. Gary Proznick received a kiss from a dalmatian puppy during a public education event earlier this year. It seemed a fitting goodbye for the retiring firefighter, the dalmatian being the iconic firehouse dog. He's featured in this year’s firefighter fundraising calendar. (Natalie Amoore/Special to Langley Advance Times)
Chilliwack Alliance Church has created The Blessings of Five Corners Christmas, a five-week virtual offering that seeks to bless individuals and organizations around the Chilliwack community with acts of service and gifts of love. (Screenshot/ Chilliwack Alliance Church)

Church’s five-week offering brings acts of kindness, gifts to people of Chilliwack

Chilliwack Alliance Church’s videos show them blessing neighbours with acts of service, gifts of love

Chilliwack Alliance Church has created The Blessings of Five Corners Christmas, a five-week virtual offering that seeks to bless individuals and organizations around the Chilliwack community with acts of service and gifts of love. (Screenshot/ Chilliwack Alliance Church)
Johan Dekker shocked not just his girlfriend, Mallie Moore, when he proposed atop Mount Woodside, but also photographer Emily Peter who happened to be in the right place at the right time on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (Emily Peter Photography)

Surprise mountaintop proposal shocks Abbotsford woman and Chilliwack photographer

‘It was just meant to be that I was on that mountain that morning,’ said photographer Emily Peter

Johan Dekker shocked not just his girlfriend, Mallie Moore, when he proposed atop Mount Woodside, but also photographer Emily Peter who happened to be in the right place at the right time on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (Emily Peter Photography)
The Re/Max Nyda Realty Toy House brought in more than 1,500 toys and $10,000 for children in need this Christmas. (Submitted)

‘Most successful’ toy drive ever thanks to generous people of Chilliwack

Re/Max Toy House brought in more than 1,500 toys, $10,000 in cash donations for kids in need

The Re/Max Nyda Realty Toy House brought in more than 1,500 toys and $10,000 for children in need this Christmas. (Submitted)
A plush stuffie has been made in memory of the late Mac the therapy dog who worked at University of the Fraser Valley. It is a fundraiser for Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS). (Facebook/UFV PADS Canine Counsellor Mac)

Mac the UFV therapy dog now available in stuffie form

Plush toy in the form of popular late dog part of fundraiser for Pacific Assistance Dogs Society

A plush stuffie has been made in memory of the late Mac the therapy dog who worked at University of the Fraser Valley. It is a fundraiser for Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS). (Facebook/UFV PADS Canine Counsellor Mac)
Addy VanLochlem of Agassiz swims at Ferny Coombe Pool. Her swimathon attracted the attention of the First Lady of Kenya, who matched Addy’s donation to impoverished communities in her country. (File Photo)

Kenyan First Lady matches Agassiz swimathon donations

Addy VanLochlem’s donation helped secure 180,000 meals for needy children in Kenya

Addy VanLochlem of Agassiz swims at Ferny Coombe Pool. Her swimathon attracted the attention of the First Lady of Kenya, who matched Addy’s donation to impoverished communities in her country. (File Photo)