The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Laura Hughes (right) of Springridge Farm, checks out MADD brochure with MADD Halton pres. Norma King. A fundraiser sponâ€" sored by the farm raised $3,000 for MADD. (Photo by Peter McCusker) 10 A.M. â€" 6 P.M. UPPER OAKVILLE SHOPPING CTR. OAKVILLE Dundas Member of the Floor Covering Institute of Ontario * Vacuum CreaneRs * Centrat Vacuums * SHampooers â€" PouisHERs "WE PICK UP DELIVER" SERVICE ALL MAKES MODELS * Installation Warranty backed by Dupont + 30 Day Inâ€"Home Guarantee (On Dupont Stainmaster Products) In OaAKviLLe SaLes Service TELEPHONE SHOP AT HOME OR OFFICE Shor At Home WitHk (Above Cost) For the past dozen years, the farm has held its annual Strawberry Festival to support the United Way of Milton, and for six years, Springridge has hosted an annual Harvest Craft Fair for the Milton District Hospital (Oct. 15th and 16th). The Mothers Day Festival was so successful, says Laura Hughes, that it too will also become an annual event at the farm. Farm festival nets MADD $3,000 Laura and John Hughes, ownâ€" ers of Springridge, known locally for its strawberries and cherries, have decided to add MADD Halton to its list of organizations deserving of support. others Against Drunk Driving (MADD) got a $3,000 boost thanks to the the Mothers Day Festival at Springridge Farm in Milton. By WILMA BLOKHUIS Oakville Beaver Staff "We all remember the tragedy The proceeds from the festival will be used for education and counselling. With $3,000 in addiâ€" tional money, MADD Halton will be able to send 12 people to a sixâ€" "And, the festival was a downâ€" toâ€"earth old fashioned family fesâ€" tival," said Hughes, adding admission was free and the event was carried out as a nonâ€"commerâ€" cial venture. "A lot of us feel very strongly against drinking and driving, and be holding a festival, we felt we could make a statement, to raise awareness. in this area (Forks of the Credit Road Caledon) last year on Mother‘s Day," said Hughes, explaining why she contacted Norma King, president of MADD Halton about holding a fundraiser. To reach MADD Halton, call 905â€"844â€"0096. MADD Canada, of which David King is chairman, was known up to two years ago as PRIDE. "We became MADD after survey results in the United States showed that more people were familiar with MADD than any other antiâ€"drunk driving group," said Norma King. MADD has 200 chaptersin the U.S. and MADD Canada has eight chapters Norma and David King joined MADD‘s Toronto chapter in early 1991, and were instrumental in establishing MADD Halton. The local group marked its first year of operation this month. "And we lobby for justice, and for rehabilitation of repeat offendâ€" ers because they are alcoholics. And, we want tougher jail senâ€" tences. Ontario has one of the lightest laws . . . if a guy gets four years, he should serve four years, not 1 1/2 years. If somebody is caught drunk driving, his licence should be impounded for 90 days immediately. "We can help in court proceedâ€" ings, by helping victims get inforâ€" mation. "We don‘t push ourselves on people; we wait for them to call us," said King, noting MADD Halton is listed on referral sheets given out by Victim Services of the Halton Regional Police. "We like to hear from victims of alcholism, families who have suffered from accidents involving drunk drivers to those who have suffered from abuse involving alcohol. King, who lost her son Edward and his new wife Tina as a result of a drunk driving accident about 4 1/2 years ago, was at the Mothers Day Festival to answer questions about MADD Halton. (Nissan Canada has donated two vans to this program, which was launched four years ago.) The program, run by MADD Canada, also includes slide shows, a newsletter, and on some visits, a car smashed as a result of a drunk driving accident. Recently visited were White Oaks Secondary School, MacLachlan College and General Wolfe High School. "Ocassionally, an offender speaks . . . only if he‘s truely remorseful and has served his sentence." The money will also go towards ‘Close to Home,‘ an travâ€" elling educational program visitâ€" ing high school schools and comâ€" munity groups with speakers, police officers and representatives from MADD â€" and "sometimes one or two of the victims will tell their story and share their pain," said King. support for victims program. The newly trained volunteers will be able to relieve King who gives oneâ€"toâ€"one counselling to victims on her own. "There should be more support for those who are affected by drunk driving."