Bard Chipperfield and Brenda (Rafuse) Wilkes are in awe of their classmate Cathy Emmerson.
When their friend packed up her bags and headed to Rwanda to run a school for orphans eight years ago, the pair pledged they’d do all they could to support her.
“Cathy’s getting a lot of recognition for her work in Africa, but we wanted to bring it home,” said Chipperfield, who is organizing a fundraiser dance with Wilkes this Saturday.
A former Maple Ridge realtor, Emmerson currently runs a free-of-charge school called PREFER (Poverty Reduction Education Family Empowerment in Rwanda), which helps educate and care for children who would otherwise be out on the streets. Her friends hope to raise at least $5,000 for the project.
The fundraiser, featuring the Free Time Band, takes place on Saturday, June 18, starting at 8 p.m. at Pitt Meadows Heritage Hall located at 12460 Harris Road.
Tickets are a minimum donation of $20 and a donation to the Meadow Ridge Food Bank.
• For tickets, call Barb at 604-466-2010, Brenda at 604-463-0728 or Brianne at 604-5127805.