Several community groups were the recipients of grants last week thanks to the Kiwanis Club of Golden Ears.

This included local high schools, which each received $500 toward their dry grad celebrations.

The Kiwanis club focuses a lot of its energy on youth, said the local president Andre Lafleur, and the dry grad money is meant to "keep kids from killing themselves" as they finish high school.

The Kiwanis Club of Golden Ears can be seen at many events throughout the community, raising money by selling hotdogs and refreshments, and they especially like to go to school events.

"We basically will support any school and do what we can," Lafleur said.

In addition to supporting students and youth, for example, for dry grad celebrations, the club also reaches out to seniors and non-profit organizations.

At last week's event, the Kiwanis club also gave $6,422 to the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation for a piece of respiratory equipment. The Meals on Wheels program run by Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Community Services received a grant of $1,500 as did the Friends In Need Food Bank.

The North Fraser Therapeutic Riding Association receivef $1,500 to buy a shed and a panic button. In addition, the non-profit WomenCare Pregnancy Centre received $500 for its infant and mother program.

The funds given out last Tuesday evening were from a gaming grant.

The Kiwanis also raise money by selling hanging baskets at the Ridge Meadows Home Show - last year they raised $11,000.

The club brings their trailer to a variety of community events, for example, Pitt Meadows Day, Canada Day celebrations, and Country Fest.

The club is looking for new members. For information, contact Andre Lafleur at 778-344-5289.

mrantanen@mrtimes.com