For the second year running, Cineplex Entertainment is hosting their national community day on Saturday, meaning you and I can take in a movie at Colossus for free, while helping the sick children and their families aided by the Starlight Children's Foundation.

All Cineplex staff are volunteering their time Saturday morning at every one of the company's theatres across the country.

Starting at 9 a.m., Cineplex is offering a free movie and discounts at the concession. You'll pay only $2 for a popcorn, or soft drinks, or select candy. Sounds like a good deal, and better yet, all proceeds from the concession, as well as the sale of $2 Starlight pins raised will also be going to the national charity.

"We hope our guests bring their family and friends for a fun morning, in support of a very worthy cause," said Pat Marshall, Cineplex's vice-president of communications.

"Our guests continue to amaze us with their generosity, as they helped us raise over $400,000 last year during this event, and I'm sure this year will be no different."

Starlight is a non-profit organization that strives to improve the quality of life for seriously ill children and their families. Starlight provides entertainment, education, and other family activities to help these children cope with the pain, fear, and isolation of their illness.

Doors open at Colossus - which for those of you who haven't been there is the spaceship-like building at the Trans-Canada Highway and 200th Street - at 8:30 a.m.

Pumpkin play

And speaking of local businesses stepping it up to help those in need, Envision Financial hosted a damp but rewarding event at Aldor Acres pumpkin patch last Saturday.

About 120 children and adult burn survivors and their families braved the rain to attend.

Activities included playing in the petting zoo corner, enjoying hayrides, picking out a pumpkin to take home, visiting with Sparky the Fire Dog, and eating hotdogs for lunch.

The goal of the event was to provide a positive and fun environment for children and adult burn survivors and their families to build relationships and a sense of community with one another.

Mission accomplished.

"We're proud to sponsor this unique, community driven program that really comes alongside those who have been affected, while seeking to educate and prevent others from becoming victims," said Susan Byrom, manager of corporate citizenship at Envision.

"An event like the Pumpkin Patch provides survivors who may feel isolated from their community with a safe place to build relationships with others who have been affected."

This is the third annual event held in conjunction with the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters' (BCPFF) Burn Fund and made possible, in part, thanks to help from about 30 of Langley Township's firefighters.

Leading up to Halloween, Envision is also hosting a Sparky the Fire Dog colouring contest for all children in the local area, with a chance to win one of three prizes, an Apple iPod, family movie certificates and a $25 Chapters gift card.

The colouring sheet can be found at any Envision branch or on the Envision Financial Facebook page. All entries must be returned to an Envision branch by Oct. 27.

Wrestler rewarded

And speaking of Envision, kudos to a young, environmentally-conscious student - Madeline Millsip - for being one of 16 Envision scholarship winners.

Millsip, who worked all summer with Nickomekl Enhancement Society, founded a YoutHatch program aimed at coordinating student volunteers for the hatchery and getting information out to the local schools about the 232nd Street facility.

Working towards her bachelor in business administration at SFU, Millsip is also passionate about sports, involved in both wrestling and figure skating. She's currently competing and training with the SFU varsity wrestling team.

Wrestler rewarded: web extra

"We are pleased to recognize the hard work and dedication that Madeline has shown to both her education and her community," said Envision president Shelley Besse.

"Madeline is a shining example of an up-and-coming community leader and we wish her well on her education journey."

During the past 16 years, the Envision Financial Education Award has provided nearly a half million dollars in scholarship funds to help a total of 237 students throughout B.C. finance their educations.

And thanks to the money from Envision, she's $2,000 closer to reaching her educational goals.