The Coquitlam Optimist Club’s annual Youth Appreciation Week event on November 11 raised over $7000 for youth groups and netted 425 lb. of food for Share’s Food Bank. The Youth Appreciation Week celebration consists of two events, the Walk for Youth and the Free Skate. Ten organizations, ranging from sports to arts to community service groups, participated i
n the Walk for Youth. Each group raised from a few hundred dollars to over $1700 to support their activities. For the Free Skate the Optimist Club rented the skating rink at Coqutlam’s new Poirier Sports Complex and invited children from the Tri-Cities to two hours of skating at no charge. Skaters were asked to bring a donation for the Food Bank. In this way the Optimist Club encourages young people to help themselves and aid the less fortunate. At the same time Optimists recognize the positive contributions of our youth. (See more photographs of this event on the Coquitlam Optimist Club's 
Facebook page.)Cheques were presented at an Optimist Club dinner meeting, where adult sponsors described the purpose and activities of their youth organizations. The Cloverdale Junior Curlers won the draw and received a grant from the Optimist Club to match the funds they had raised.
