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Langley’s Kimz Angels shows there is power in pink

Kimz Angels first gala held to empower people to help Langley ‘s most vulnerable
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The inaugural Pink Gala to benefit Kimz Angels was not only a ‘really fun’ evening, it also raised awareness of the need to make a difference in the lives of Langley’s most vulnerable.

“The reason we held a gala was to raise awareness of the different ways Kimz Angels helps and with everyone in the same room, we could spread that awareness of making a difference,” said founder Kim Snow.

The gala, held at Glass House Estate Winery in Langley on May 27, was sold out, with thousands of dollars raised. Every dollar goes to help the homeless, impoverished families, youth, foster children and single moms, to name a few of the groups Kimz Angels supports.

“There was so much love in that room. Together, the strength and power of people … I know we are going to go out there and change the world around us,” said Snow.

Sherry Jenkins helped organize the gala.

“A gala which brings awareness is one more way to tell everyone who (Kim) is and what she does. Her kindness is something you don’t come across everyday,” said Jenkins. “She inspires people to give and be kind.”

Elvis was also in the house. Snow is a huge fan of Steve Elvis Elliott and had him wear his pink jacket for the occasion. He also arrived in his pink cadillac, which guests took pictures in.

Snow loves everything pink. Her Angel trucks are wrapped in pink and all her self-made Kimz Angels T-shirts are pink.

There was wine for sipping, and hors d’oeuvres to snack on, with Angie Quaale, from Well Seasoned helping with the food. With the many silent auction items, members of the community gave generously, Snow said. Cedarbrook Bakery owner Dana Matheson, who is one of Kim’s angels, supplied the fruit platters and also brought the amazing angel wing cake to the event.

Several speeches were made, including one by Will Loftus, of Game Ready Fitness youth development programs which Snow and many angels are involved in. A speech was also given by JR Larose, former BC Lions player and now inspirational speaker who is one of Kimz Angels.

Snow also sits on the Langley Rams board and sponsors a couple players who otherwise couldn’t afford to play football. The coach for the Rams also spoke, as did Langley Vineyard pastor Leif White.

Another speaker was a mom who has struggled and has had help from Snow.

“The speeches were real tear jerkers. I lost my fake eyelashes, I cried so much,” said Snow.

Snow is grateful to everyone who came out to support the work the Angels do.

“It’s all about saving souls,” she said. “I’m telling you, we are making a difference, we have to keep going. I’m more determined than ever.”

Snow has been an advocate for vulnerable and homeless people in Langley for more than a decade.

For years, she and her regular volunteer ‘angels’ would bring food, bottled water and other items of need, to the St. Joseph’s soup kitchen. She’s there every Tuesday, but now goes to make sandwiches and work with the homeless at the Vineyard Church every Wednesday.

Wednesday nights Snow, along with several other angels from Langley, volunteer to brighten the lives of foster kids through Game Ready in Surrey. Last year, she arranged to have the kids go in a limo to attend a Giants game.

Every Christmas, she and angel/paramedic Vince Ford put on the Fill the Ambulance campaign at the Murrayville IGA.

Snow’s dream is to have her own village of tiny houses to house the homeless.

“That’s what they really need, is a place to call home. That’s my dream,” she said. “We can’t judge. Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness. People say I’m enabling because I feed them. Wouldn’t you want food to eat each day?”

Snow has been helping those in need in Langley for 17 years.

She started helping out though her son’s PAC at Murrayville Elementary which led her to want to help everywhere. Soon she started feeding and clothing the homeless in Langley, bringing donations of diapers o Basic for Babies and helping vulnerable families.

She is on most principal’s speed dial when a student is in need of new shoes or jacket. Or if a school is running out of snack items for the lunch program. She puts out a call on Facebook and within an hour she usually has offers to help, whether it be furniture, new shoes, or food.

Snow is a regular at Costco, but also gets regular donations from Langley businesses, including Cobb’s bread and JD Farms.

She has a core team of angels who have been with her from the beginning but the list of angels keeps growing, now with as many as 40 volunteers.

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Monique Tamminga

About the Author: Monique Tamminga

Monique brings 20 years of award-winning journalism experience to the role of editor at the Penticton Western News. Of those years, 17 were spent working as a senior reporter and acting editor with the Langley Advance Times.
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