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6 Acton/Georgetown, Friday, July 6, 2007 OPINION Making the challenge Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, and suddenly a carefree child needs a lifesaving blood donation. But what happens if there is no blood waiting at the hospital? Halton's police, fire and emergency services are attempting to alleviate this problem by holding a contest among the three services in the third annual Canadian Blood Services' Sirens for Life blood donor challenge. The goal is to get 1,300 units of donated blood by September 3. "It's really a partnership around saving lives because for the Canadian Blood Services that is our mandate by providing blood for patients and of course for police, fire and EMS saving people's lives is part of their daily routine as well," said Renee Naiman, the Regional Director of the Canadian Blood Services for Central Ontario. With the Canadian Blood Services supplying blood to 58 hospitals throughout Ontario and with people pouring onto the highways to reach vacation destinations, the need for blood is only growing-- and the nation's blood supply is already sitting at very low levels. "Over the summer, you get a lot of traumas and a lot of motor vehicle accidents," said Naiman. "Unfortunately that kind of stuff doesn't take a holiday." Besides injuries, blood is also needed to help patients cope with a number of diseases such as cancer. Those thinking about donating blood can call 1-888-2DONATE (236-6283) to find the nearest blood donor clinic and make an appointment. Photo identification is required and Canadian Blood Services officials recommend that potential donors eat and drink a lot before making a donation. We applaud the police officers, EMS personnel and firefighters for attempting the challenge and ask that residents take it on too. www.independentfreepress.com Phone: 905-873-0301 Fax: 905-873-0398 Steve Nease STAFF DIRECTORY Publisher Ken Nugent Advertising director Steve Foreman (sforeman@independentfreepress.com) Retail advertising manager Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@independentfreepress.com) Managing editor John McGhie (jmcghie@independentfreepress.com) Distribution manager Nancy Geissler (distribution@independentfreepress.com) ADVERTISING Advertising co-ordinator Jennifer Christie (jchristie@independentfreepress.com) Retail Sales: Jennifer Spencer (jspencer@independentfreepress.com) Adam Spinney (aspinney@independentfreepress.com) Andrew Key (akey@independentfreepress.com) Amy Sykes (features@independentfreepress.com) Real estate: Sue Spizziri (realestate@independentfreepress.com) Classifieds: Kristie Pells (classified@independentfreepress.com) ACCOUNTING Rose Marie Gauthier, Michelle Wimmer EDITORIAL Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@independentfreepress.com) Ted Brown: Photography (tbrown@independentfreepress.com) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@independentfreepress.com) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@independentfreepress.com) PRODUCTION: Mary Lou Foreman, Kevin Powell, Shelli Harrison, Dolores Black, Debbie MacDougall LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Crossing guards should be treated with respect Dear editor, Every weekday morning I drive on Princess Anne Drive in Georgetown to take one of my children to school. A crossing guard is stationed where Mary Street intersects Princess Anne. At 8:50 a.m. on Wednesday, June 13th I stopped at the corner and was appalled at what I saw and heard from another driver. As a dark-coloured van or SUV rolled through the stop and sped away the female driver made a rude hand gesture to the crossing guard followed by a very loud "Shut Up". I was traveling in the opposite direction and saw and heard her very deliberate actions. The reason she acted this way was because the crossing guard had pointed to her vehicle to indicate to her that she had not stopped fully and certainly did not make any attempt to stop behind the white line. I proceeded to take my child to school and returned back to the same intersection to talk with the crossing guard. I expressed my outrage over the incident and he said the "rolling stop" is a common occurrence and that the particularly rude driver passes through this intersection every day and rarely comes to a complete stop. Hopefully, the report of the vehicle plate number to the police will result in a visit and a warning to the offending driver. Incidentally, this crossing guard has served our community for over 20 years and I have watched him interact with drivers under all circumstances. He is always courteous and his gentle reminders to drivers about stopping properly are never out of line. A good stop brings a wave and a smile. Shame on the rude woman (cannot be referred to as a lady) who has not only forgotten the rules of the road but also forgot her manners (and should know better as she appeared to be in her 30's or 40's). Every year our crossing guards are honored for their great work in taking care of our children (and all pedestrians), at a special ceremony held at one of the local schools. This ceremony was held with a tremendous turnout of support. I think it is even more important to have all drivers show the same or greater respect for our crossing guards who are doing their jobs in our best interest. Our children's lives depend on it! Paul Sproule, Georgetown goods....just any donation of choice. I cannot believe how generous people can be. At the end of the sale the girls had $105.73. I am so proud of them and how well they did to raise money on their own for something so important. They wanted me to write you because they are big on thank-you cards and couldn't think of a way to thank all the people who donated money. Thank you to everyone who suppported my girls in raising money and also thanks to my girls for all their efforts....I am so proud. Melissa Harvey-Daniell Georgetown Something bugging you? Send us a letter! Letters to the editor must include an address and daytime telephone number. Unsigned letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 200 words and may be edited for content and/or length. Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1 E-mail: jmcghie@independentfreepress.com Koolaid for Paws raises funds for stray animals Dear editor, Thank you very much to animal lovers Michela Ciavarella and Braedon Hahnfeld. These two young, generous, entrepreneurs recently had a lemonade stand called "Koolaid for Paws". They brought all their proceeds to the Georgetown Animal Clinic to help pay for the care and treatment of our stray animals. From all the staff and animals of the clinic we say thank you, purrrrrrr and woof woof, to Michela and Braeden for your kind-hearted generosity and hard work! Nancy Hull D.V.M. Georgetown Animal Clinic THE INDEPENDENT & FREE PRESS The Independent & Free Press is published every Wednesday and Friday at 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown Ont., L7G 4B1. It is one of several newspapers published by Metroland Media Group Ltd. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with reasonable allowance for signature will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the acceptable rate. In the event of typographical error advertising goods or services at wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell which may be withdrawn at any time. Editorial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Price: Store copies 50¢ each; Subscriptions $26 per year by carrier; $92.50 per year by mail in Canada; $130 per year in all other countries. Plus G.S.T. Second Class Mail Registration Number 6869. The Independent & Free Press is a member of The Canadian Community Newspaper Association and The Ontario Community Newspaper Association. Girls donate earnings to breast cancer research Dear editor, I wanted to share a story with you and extend my thanks to the public. Last weekend I hosted the annual street sale where my three daughers had a lemonade and freezie stand. Every year they set up their stand and this year, on their own, decided to donate any money they received to breast cancer research. Their stand was busy all morning. Some people didn't want the treats they just saw the girls and wanted to donate. There was no set price on