MAD HATTER

procession with both choirs, an
element that has become tradi-
tional in their Christmas Concerts.

In the half-dozen years since
the choir was formed with only
seven singers, it has grown to 90
voices. One of the group’s
greatest assets, Loomer points
out, is it’s community spirit.
"People seem to be very proud of
it, and very loyal to it."

Though the choir is an amateur
group, it is nonetheless a
prizewinning ensemble which
has gained a reputation as an
audience-pleaser. It is always in
demand to entertain at a variety
of community events. During the
Christmas season alone, they will
perform at Royal Columbian
Hospital’s annual treelighting
ceremony, the New Westminster
Public Library’s Christmas crafts
day, and on the Carol Ships going
down the Fraser River, as well as
their own Christmas Carol Con-
cert.

The annual concert is tradition-
ally a benefit. This year, a portion
of the money will help to finance
the choir’s spring tour to the B.C.
Interior, and the rest will go
toward the Crippled Children’s
Fund. The concert begins at 8:00
p-m. and admission is by dona-
tion. For more information,
please contact the music depart-
ment.

 

 

NEW
VICE-CHAIRMAN

 

 

Ie 1976, at the age of 24, Ray
Godin walked away froma
secure job at an auto parts
warehouse.

"] felt like I was in a job with no
future," he says. "One Wednes-
day when I had a day off I
decided on the spur of the mo-
ment to talk to a Douglas College
counsellor. I mentioned I was in-
terested in sales, and she told me
about the business and marketing
Siaeen I signed up that same

y-"

Godin clearly remembers the
struggle of trying to make ends
meet while he was a student.

For the next two years he
worked part-time at the
warehouse then at a shoe store.
The work, along with attending
classes and studying, made for
long days. And although he had
the financial help of student loans
and grants he recalls the
problems brought on by tight
finances. His old car was always
breaking down.

After graduating from the Col-
lege in 1978 with a diploma in
business and marketing Godin
landed a job as sales repre-
sentative with Standard Brands
Food Service Co. A few jobs later
Ray Godin now enjoys his work
as National Accounts and Market-
ing Manager with Neptune Food
Suppliers.

Looking back Godin says, "En-
rolling at Douglas College was
the best move I ever made."

Godin lives with his wife and
two children in Langley which he
describes as a "good community
that’s growing in leaps and
bounds.” But he has not forgot-
ten the struggles of his student
days.

 

 

Speaking from his comfortable
office in the Neptune head-
quarters in Richmond, Godin is
concerned for people who now
want to continue their education
but cannot afford it because of the
climbing costs of tuition fees,
housing and transportation.

It is that concern that has led
Godin to recently accept the posi-
tion of Vice-Chairman of the
Douglas College Foundation.

Starting out four years ago as
The Douglas College Student
Trust Fund, the Foundation was
created to bolster College ac-
tivities and to build student
financial aid. Godin has been a
director from the beginning.

He hopes that other former stu-
dents of Douglas College and
members of the community will
get involved in raising money so
the Foundation can provide more
support for such things as visual
and performing arts programs,
college sports, and student aid.

Godin says people now have a
greater opportunity to make an
impact with their contributions to
the Douglas College Foundation.
Unil March 31st, 1988 the provin-
cial government will match
donations to student aid dollar
for dollar.

He adds: "There’s a real satis-
faction in seeing students in need
receiving assistance so that they
can get ahead and in turn become
an asset to the community."

  

ding

——r