#WeAreMapleRidge

Who inspires you?
I’m inspired by all the passionate volunteers who share their time to help make Maple Ridge a better place to live.

What makes Maple Ridge so great?
The passion and caring attitude within the community.

What inspires you to give?
What motivates me are smiles. Seeing people enjoying themselves in a fun, safe way bring real joy to me.

What do you do to keep yourself happy and healthy?
I volunteer with the West Coast Auto Group Football Club.

Do you have any favourite local hangouts?
I like to spend time in Albion Park. My favourite store is Kanaka Creek Coffee Shop.

My name is Daniel Mikolay. I am the Environmental Educator for the Ridge Meadows Recycling Society for the past ten years, and the WildsafeBC Coordinator for Maple Ridge. I have two daughters, and I’m involved with the West Coast Auto Group Football Club.

How long have you lived in Maple Ridge home?
I was born in Maple Ridge (ahem) 31 years ago. I lived here for 24 years and plan to move back one day to start a family.

Who inspires you?
My Mum is my biggest inspiration. She is constantly finding new ways to give back to her community through our business T’s Once Upon a Tea Leaf. She was a single Mum with a dream, and it is really beautiful to see her become such a vibrant part of our community.

What makes you proud to be from Maple Ridge?
Maple Ridge has a wonderful sense of community. I never realized that there was something so special about Maple Ridge until I moved to Vancouver. When I wander around Maple Ridge I have very pleasant interactions with members of the community; nobody is afraid to say “hello” here, which is really refreshing!

Do you have a favourite Maple Ridge hangout?
I am in Maple Ridge every Saturday and I cannot help but go to Chameleon Cafe for their amazing mushroom soup. I walk into this little gem on 224th and suddenly feel like I am in Yaletown.

What do you do to keep yourself happy and healthy?
I believe that taking time for myself is the best way to keep myself happy and healthy; this means turning off my phone, steeping a cuppa tea and finding a quiet moment to reflect on everything I am grateful for in my life.

What motivates you to give?
I had a very humble upbringing and despite how strong my mother is, I know that it took a village to raise me. My heart is so full of gratitude for everyone who put in the time and effort to make my life rich in love. I believe that is why we look for ways to contribute and give back to our community through our business and personal life.

How long have you called Maple Ridge home?
I have been a part of this community on and off since 1990.

Who inspires you?
Too many to count, but the biggest inspiration is my father, who exemplified kindness, generosity and compassion, and has been recognized repeatedly throughout the years as a community volunteer and champion.

What makes Maple Ridge so great?
Maple Ridge boasts some incredibly caring and wonderful people, and a great wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities with all its dikes, lakes, rivers, mountains, and trails.

What inspires you to give?
There are some incredible organizations in this community doing life-changing work and making significant differences to people’s lives. Knowing how much time and energy the volunteers in this community put into these various causes is inspiring. So, if I don’t have time to give, I do like to offer some financial assistance.

What do you do to keep yourself happy and healthy?
I play in the garden and build things. I hang out and play games with friends. And most of all, I spend time with my loving family.

Do you have any favourite local hangouts?
Maple Ridge Park is great, when I have the grand babies. Ocean Village, Shinobi, and GM Restaurant are great places to eat. The UBC Research Forest is an awesome place to go hiking. And Maple Ridge has a pretty cool collection of second-hand and thrift stores that appeal to me.

I am Roxanne Hooper, editor of the Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TIMES, and I bask in all that is Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows. This is a great community, full of fantastic people, many who I’ve had a chance to meet over the years, and hundreds that I still look forward to meeting in the future. In my capacity with the media, I see the good and bad parts of society. While I naturally have to bring you the stories of the bad and unfortunate happenings, I choose to focus most of my energies on spotlighting the good people, stories, and happenings that makes this community so inviting.

How long have you lived in Maple Ridge home?
Almost 24 years! I felt it was a great place to raise children.

Who inspires you?
I would have to say the Dalai Lama because of his beliefs in fostering kindness and supporting others.

What makes you proud to be from Maple Ridge?
The community spirit and its natural beauty.

What inspires you to give?
After working with the 1998 Summer Games, I felt a great connection to the community. I was inspired by the many community leaders who gave so freely of their time to make the event a tremendous success. Once the games were done, I felt a need to volunteer and support the community I call home. Over the years I’ve volunteered with the Parks and Leisure Services Citizen Advisor Committee, First Night, Mountain Festival Society, Founder’s Cup Charity Golf Tournament, Ridge Meadows Hospice Society, 125th Anniversary Celebration, Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey Association, Maple Ridge Figure Skating Club, Mountain View Salvation Army Church, Rockin River Music Festival Merritt Mountain Music Festival and the Maple Ridge Community Foundation Citizen of the Year dinner.

What do you do to keep yourself happy and healthy?
I eat healthy, stay active and connected, enjoy time with my family and friends. I keep a positive attitude and laugh as often as possible.

Do you have any favourite local hangouts?
I love walking the dikes or going to Allco Park to play in the river. Also Golden Ears Park is a lovely place to camp and swim. Being so close to nature is a great benefit. We do live in the best place on earth!

What’s the kindest thing someone has done for you lately?
While out with friends for dinner, a gentleman paid for our entire bill!

Why do you enjoy being involved with MRCF?
I love being involved with MRCF because of their commitment to supporting citizen of our community. I am passionate about helping others and am blessed to be a part of an organization whose purpose is to make Maple Ridge a better place to live.

I am Jacqueline Montgomery, a 23 year resident of Maple Ridge.  I have two adult children, Breanne and Donnie, plus a wonderful grand-daughter Izabel, they all bring joy and happiness into my life.  I am passionate about the environment, love to cook and eat good, healthy food and enjoy wine and laughter with great friends.  My role with the Maple Ridge Community Foundation allows me to work with passionate, dedicated and truly amazing community leaders who contribute to the quality of life of the citizens of Maple Ridge in perpetuity.  Maple Ridge is a beautiful community and I am happy to call it home.  

How long have you lived in Maple Ridge home?
All of my life, minus the six years I was traveling and performing abroad.

Who inspires you?
My Mom and Dad for everything they do for everyone, expecting nothing in return. And Nelson Mandela, for forgiving his oppressors and positively influencing the world by standing up for what he believed in.

What makes you proud to be from Maple Ridge?
I feel so lucky to have been raised in such a safe, beautiful place, which I used to take for granted.

What motivates you to give?
The love of my art and love of people. It feels good to give, even if it is just your time.

What do you do to keep yourself happy and healthy?
Exercise, every day! Be upside down… practicing handstands or climbing the silks. Keeping busy, and spending as much time as possible outdoors. I love to also eat and share good food with family and friends.

Do you have any favourite local hangouts?
Pitt Lake. I love being on the water!

What’s the kindest thing someone has done for you lately?
One of my students hand-painted a water bottle for me.

How long have you lived in Maple Ridge home?
I have lived here 20 years.

What do you love about Maple Ridge?
I love our beautiful, natural surroundings and the small town feel of the community. I enjoy meeting inspiring local business leaders; I’m humbled to be a part of the business/serving community.

What motivates you to give?
A feeling of gratefulness, for all that I have, motivates me to give.

What do you do to keep yourself happy and healthy?
I exercise (running, cycling, yoga, paddle boarding, tennis), make time for myself, and spend time with friends and family.

Do you have any favourite local hangouts?
Cliff Park is a favourite place to run or walk.

Who inspires you?
People that serve selflessly are inspiring to me.