General

Maclean’s story leads to Christmas treat for Coquitlam family

Featured in the magazine at age 14, executive gives back 30 years later

It all started with a story published by Maclean’s in the early 1980s about families on welfare. The article happened to feature the family of Chad Joe, then a 14-year-old boy and now president of Westcoast Mining Contractors. Shortly after the piece hit the presses, Vancouver Sun sports writer Greg Douglas contacted Joe’s mother to inform her that her family was being treated to a limousine ride and a Harlem Globetrotters game at Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum. The experience made a big impression on the young Joe. So big, in fact, that 30 years later–last week to be precise–he wrote to Douglas to say he would return the gift, by donating Canucks tickets and limousine service to and from Vancouver’s Rogers Arena to a family that, in Joe’s words, “needs a positive experience.” Coquitlam single mom Alison Goulding, who lost her husband in 2006, and her two kids–along with three friends–are counting down the days till a limousine will stop in front of their door on Friday, Dec. 23.

The Vancouver Sun

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
FILED UNDER: