​The Port Moody Foundation provided School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) with a donation of $10,000 to purchase technology including laptops for grade 6-12 students in Port Moody that may not otherwise have been in a position to purchase it themselves. A further contribution from Microsoft Canada, made through the school district's relationship with the Port Moody Foundation, resulted in a total of 20 Microsoft Surface devices being granted to grade 6-12 Port Moody families.

The technology has been distributed to students who are already benefitting. A current Heritage Woods Secondary grade 11 student and laptop recipient expressed his thanks and outlined how the gift is instrumental in helping him achieve his goal of attending the University of British Columbia's Applied Science in Civil Engineering program. Now the savings from his part-time employment can be applied directly to his future tuition. “I am truly grateful for the opportunity from the Port Moody Foundation. I will pay this forward in the future and give back to the Port Moody Foundation so that one day I can hopefully help someone else in my shoes."

A younger student laptop recipient expressed his thanks with a drawing and heartfelt note, “I am very thankful, it will make school so much easier". His mom also expressed her appreciation adding, “I don't have the words to express my gratitude…".

School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) Board of Education Chair Kerri Palmer Isaak said, “We are truly grateful to the Port Moody Foundation and their support of vulnerable students in Port Moody". Superintendent Patricia Gartland also expressed her appreciation and commented, “In SD43, we endeavour to prepare students for the future and access to technology for learning is an important aspect of this – thanks to the Port Moody Foundation, these students will be better prepared".

The Port Moody Foundation was established in 1989 by a group of caring citizens and generous donors who envisioned a Foundation whose goal was to invest in projects and initiatives that enhance the quality of life in Port Moody. Today the Foundation has an endowment of over $500,000. These funds are held in perpetuity and the interest earned is invested back into initiatives that support the quality of life of Port Moody. For more information visit http://portmoodyfoundation.ca/​. 

Pictured above (R-L): Stephen Whiffin, Director of Instruction, SD43; Jo-Anne Parneta, Director, Port Moody Foundation; Robert Simons, President, Port Moody Foundation​