THE spirit of Valentine’s Day was celebrated in a unique way by the volunteers of Guru Nanak Free Kitchen and Global Girl Power, along with Minister of State for Multiculturalism Tim Uppal and the Conservative candidate in Surrey-Newton, Harpreet Singh.
While some couples were busy exchanging gifts, volunteers spent time baking cookies and packing roses and gifts for 40 women shelters in the Lower Mainland, reaching over 900 women and children. Many got together in the spirit of service and spent hours making gift packs for the shelters.
The occasion was used to create awareness regarding violence against women through One Billion Rising Day – a day organized by a campaign set to end violence against women.
Uppal applauded the efforts of the group and thanked the volunteers for thinking about the needy on Valentine’s Day. Uppal and Harpreet Singh spent time packing cookies and gifts.
Later, Harpreet Singh along with other volunteers went to various shelters in Surrey to deliver the packages and roses.
“The joy and smiles on the faces of the people receiving these gifts made my day,” said Harpreet Singh.
Guru Nanak Free Kitchen is a volunteer organization which offers free food to the needy in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside every Sunday, and Global Girl Power is a local organization that empowers women regarding their rights and denounces violence against them.