Every year, The Chilliwack Progress shares stories that bring smiles to readers' faces, and this year was no exception.
From a hobbit house to free cupcakes to people helping people, here are just some of those heartwarming headlines from 2024.
Dog-cookie helpers
A Harrison-based, dog-cookie company that raises money for guide dogs was able to increase its productivity thanks to a team of dedicated bakers in Chilliwack.
The company, Tommy’s Choice Dog Cookies, was started in January 2022 by Ryder Newhouse, a teenager who has autism spectrum disorder. The cookies were so popular, he couldn't keep up with demand.
Four people with Chilliwack Society for Community Living – a non-profit organization that supports adults with developmental disabilities – were hired to help make Tommy’s Choice Dog Cookies. Thanks to the team, Ryder was able to raise even more donations for BC and Alberta Guide Dogs.
Disability-advocacy group food drive
Back in May, a food drive for the Chilliwack Salvation Army was created by users of the very same food bank, where they collected more than 900 pounds of food, plus financial donations.
Chilliwack People First, a self-advocacy group for people with developmental disabilities, said their collective goal was to help people just like them. Members of the group advocate for human rights, citizenship rights, accommodations rights and language rights.
“We’re our own community within a community. We can’t do much on our own, but can do a lot together to help places like the Salvation Army that helps us so much. That’s the best part of People First,” they wrote in a group statement.
Doggo-Ween
In October, a man who suffered a medical condition that caused paralysis and landed him in a wheelchair, decided he wanted to make Chilliwack the most dog-friendly city in the nation.
Tre Feit, founder of K9 At Your Side Dog Training Co., held 'Doggo-Ween' just before Oct. 31 which featured a pack walk, followed by activities including a costume contest for dogs, agility course, ball pit, photo booth with props, plus dog-training advice.
Halloween can be a traumatizing time for dogs, not just due to the fireworks, but the constant ringing of the doorbell from trick-or-treating and kids in scary costumes, he said.
"Why not make it dog friendly for the dogs to have some fun?"
Hobbit house
Earlier this year, visitors had the chance to step inside a cosy, quaint hobbit house that was one of many stops on the Ryder Lake Ramble. The small home featuring a round, blue door was built by resident Jacob Hegeman right into the side of a grassy hill.
"I started digging when I was 10 years old and then it kind of evolved from there," the 27-year-old said, adding that it's an ongoing project and the actual structure of the house took about 10 years to complete.
Inside there's a fireplace, homemade chairs, pantry, wood stove, tile flooring, books, chest, interior garden, pizza oven, water barrel and a candle-style chandelier. It's about 70 to 80 square feet, and there's enough room for a few people inside at a time, or for someone to even lie down and have a rest.
"I sometimes go in and have a daytime nap, (or) read a book," he said.
Free cupcakes
Chilliwack resident Nancy Guitar, along with other volunteers, baked and handed out 3,000 cupcakes in one day this year.
The third annual Chilliwack Cupcake Festival was on Sept. 25 where Guitar and others handed out the sweet treats to people at Chilliwack General Hospital, the RCMP detachment and Chilliwack Fire Department halls, plus nine other locations where the general public could grab one.
"There are so many generous people and businesses here in Chilliwack. I tell people, when you give it feels so good. It feels so wonderful," Guitar said.