Photos help people smile
An event to give less-fortunate people portraits at no cost is turning into a big success
Rev. Richard Bott walked beside the Golden Ears United Church during the Christmas Parade on Saturday.
Photograph by: Sylver McLaren , TIMES
Rev. Richard Bott and his fellow organizers are ready to host the second annual Help Portrait event at his church on Saturday, Dec. 8.
"The building is ready to go and we are expecting even more people than last year," said Bott.
Recently, 20-plus volunteers gathered at Golden Ears United Church (formerly St. Andrew's) to discuss the upcoming event.
"The excitement level at the meeting was extremely high. We are really looking forward to meeting people and taking photos of everyone who participates," the reverend added.
Help Portrait is a worldwide event where photographers, makeup artists, and graphic artists volunteer to do photo shoots for financially strapped people for free.
Last year was such a success and Bott is hoping even more people attend this time round.
About 85 portrait sittings were shot last year at two locations - one in Maple Ridge and the other in Pitt Meadows, but this year organizers plan to keep it all at one place.
Bott said he wants people to know they can come individually or in groups.
The event takes place at Golden Ears United Church (the sign still reads St. Andrews) on Dewdney Trunk Road at 222nd Street on Dec. 8, from 1 to 8 p.m., and does not require a reservation.
Some of the items that are still required to make this event a success are photo paper, ink, frames, and manpower.
For more information and to donate visit http: //helpportraitridgemeadows. com. Donations made at www.helpportrait.com can not be accessed by the Maple Ridge organizers.
