October 22, 2003 The Coquitlam Family of Kin (Kinettes and Kinsmen) Angie Cameron OP Contributor “Serving the Community’s Greatest Need” On Tuesday nights you will find the Coquitlam Kinette, a group of about 20 women, and the Coquitlam Kinsmen, a group of 36 men, in the Kin Kitchen feeding the less fortunate. The Kin Kitchen is run solely by volunteers and is open every Tuesday in Aggie Park near Shaugnessy and Lougheed. The kitchen, which was donated by the Coquitlam Kinsmen (the men’s division of the family of Kin), is attended by about 100 people per week. That means that over 400 suppers are prepared per month. Supper is served at 5:45 pm, arid again at 7 pm. They also hand out goody bags of muffins and bread. With the creation of the low-income housing in the Tri-Cities, the Kin Kitchen will see a dramatic increase in handing out meals to single mothers, children, teens, and the homeless. Twenty percent of Kin Kitchen users are local children and teens. Most of the meals’ ingredients are gratefully donated by local grocer’s, such as Costco, Save-On- Foods, Safeway, and the Winnipeg Rye Bakery. SHARE and local Tri-City merchants graciously donate gifts during the Christmas season. The Kin Kitchen costs around $500 per month to run with all funds going to purchase soup, cheese, meats, veggies for sandwiches, cups and plates, condiments, juice, coffee, and cleaning supplies. If you feel like joining the Coquitlam Kin or just volunteering your time, please con- tact me at Ask_Angie_op@hotmail.com and I will forward you on to the proper Kin division. the other press © News 24-hour Speech Marathon Barbara K. Adamski Features Editor Langley’s Midnight Madness Toastmasters club is hosting a 24-hour speech marathon on Thursday, November 6. Starting at noon, 14 speakers will give ten speeches each, averaging one speech every 2-1/4 hours. Mike Robinson, President of Midnight Madness and organizer of the event says, “It’s a great opportunity for the speakers to explore what they can do. There’s more stress in terms of tiredness, but less in terms of anxiety. All speakers are in the same boat.” Robinson hopes that this marathon, possibly the first of its kind in the his- tory of Toastmasters, will become a regular event. He adds that participating in such an event may not be for everyone. Robinson likens it to bungee jumping—something people try just to say they've done it. The public is encouraged to come and observe at anytime throughout the event, with an admission fee of $2 payable only once. The 24-hour speech marathon will be held at the Sheraton Hotel in Guildford, Surrey, site of the British Columbia Toastmasters Fall Conference, November 7-9. For more information, contact Mike Robinson at mrdesign@shaw.ca or call 604.607.7790. Kin in Action Angie Cameron OP Contributor The Webster’s Universal College Dictionary defines the word kin: meaning all of one’s relatives, kindred/kinsmen, or some or something of the same/similar kind. (Yep, that’s right, I actually used my dictionary this semester! I knew it had bet- ter uses than just as a paper weight and coffee stain-hider for when company comes over.) In July 2003, Coquitlam Kin volunteered for the Childfind Program (in conjunction with London Drugs) at the annual Teddy Bear Picnic near the Skate Park across from LaFarge Lake. Their records indicate that over 230 little tykes from infant to age 14 had their pictures taken and their fin- gers inked. In September 2003 the Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs of Canada succeeded in winning a coveted position in the Guinness Book of World Records for holding a Canada-wide free BBQ. There were 2,520 beef patties and 2,160 hotdogs consumed, while listening to karaoke that would make Japanese businessmen cringe (just kidding). They asked for a $2 donation towards the Fire Victim Relief Fund for BC and Alberta, and they also promoted the Canadian Beef Industry who were recovering from the brutal hit of Mad Cow Disease. But, all in all, the shiny red fire truck and the fire- men were anonymously voted the highlight of the day. Okay, okay. It was my favourite. Thursday evenings, they hold a Meat Draw and a 50/50 draw at Woody’s Pub on Brunette in Maillardville. So, as it stands now, the 50/50 jackpot is sitting at $630.50. There are also consolation prizes. I can’t tell you what they are, but trust me, what I can say is that the Canucks season is upon us again...hint, hint. loma | MELISSA CRISTOBAL (student) Accounting Associate| Se a www. THINKCGA.org Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia http://www.otherpress.ca e¢ Page 5