Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/207624
BEYOND T BCAA is expanding its role in com mu O n a recent drizzly morning, more than 650 local elementary-school kids packed into the Massey Hall theatre in New Westminster for a highenergy hour of empowerment, community building and celebration. The event: the launch of BCAA's Patrol Nation, a movement to encourage and support children in becoming school safety patrollers. Emceed in part by The Beat 94.5 radio host Denai Johnson, the kids were wowed by powerful messages from three-time Olympic women's ice hockey gold medallist and five-time World Champion, Jennifer 30 w e s t w o r l d p30-34_Community Impact.indd 30 >> winter 2013 Botterill, and Free the Children charity cofounder Craig Kielburger, a well-known Canadian activist for children's rights. Combining stories, videos, music and chants of "Patrol Nation," the event was a true celebration of youth taking on leadership roles. But the training and support of school safety patrollers, a program that dates back 80 years, is just one of many community initiatives supported by BCAA and its Members. From providing car seats to families in need, to renovating camps for children with disabilities, and fundraising for social programs, the organization is doing much to improve the lives of British Columbians – whether they're on the road or not. In fact, BCAA is now stepping up its community role and will be investing more of your Membership dues than ever before into building a stronger and safer B.C. Call it the next chapter in your BCAA's venerable 107-year history. Or just call it giving back to the community. As Mark Donnelly, BCAA's director of communication and community explains, the organization has enjoyed a healthy bottom line in recent years: "We just think we can convert some of that financial success into having a broader impact for our communities. We believe it's the right thing to do." (Jennifer Botterill) Rebecca Wood Photography 13-10-25 10:31 AM P N t p c e 2 s u