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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday April 4, 2007 - 13 Banding together for Trauma Centre Harry Currie, who has been called the modern renaissance man, will headline the second annual Big Band Dance set for Saturday, April 21 in Oakville. Currie, accompanied by his eight-piece big band The Reflections, will take the stage as heavyweight service clubs -- the Oakville Kiwanis and Knights of Columbus -- once again team up, this time to fundraise for the Halton Trauma Centre which strives to address the heavy issue of child abuse. The joint Oakville Kiwanis and Oakville Knights of Columbus "Big Band" event started last year in an effort to raise funds for disaster relief. The event has now become an annual one for both service clubs and the funds raised go to local and international charities in keeping with each club's service mission. The fundraising evening will also include live and silent auctions, prizes, a cash bar and light snack. The event will take place from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., at the Knights of Columbus Hall located at 1494 Wallace Rd. Tickets cost $25 and are available by contacting Liane at 905-257-8633, Catherine at 905-465-1579, Leo at 905827-2338 or Jackie at 905-257-6151. A heavyweight in the entertainment industry himself, Currie boasts many accomplishments and careers. He holds four university degrees in music, has been a military officer, pilot, singer, instrumentalist, actor, arranger, conductor, composer, HMV recording artist, BBC TV star, stage star in Britain and Australia, teacher, administrator, journalist, published novelist -- and more. In the recording studio Currie has backed people from Frank Sinatra and the Beatles, to Vera Lynn and Joan Sutherland. As an instrumentalist he has played with the Halifax Symphony Orchestra, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lawrence Welk Orchestra. His talent is found on the soundtrack of four films, including A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Fiddler on the Roof. Currie has worked with Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, the BeeGees, the Glenn LIESA KORTMANN/ OAKVILLE BEAVER See Big page 18 ON THE JOB: John Robertson is the volunteer president of the Canadian Red Cross, Oakville Branch, which recently moved from its long-time home on Navy Street to a new office on Cornwall Road. Red Cross at work at home and abroad By Angela Blackburn of the Oakville branch -- its new home. The Canadian Red Cross Society is a non-profit, volunteer-based humanitarian organization The last place you want to be is the first place dedicated to improving the situation of the most you will find Red Cross volunteers -- either vulnerable in Canada and throughout the world. smack in the middle of a crisis somewhere else on The Red Cross has served Canadians since the global map or right here 1896, providing disaster preat home. paredness and response, "We rely on the "That's so true," said community and Canadians injury prevention, and comOakville Red Cross Branch munity health and care. in general to support president John Robertson, The Oakville Red Cross agreeing with the phrase our programs." was established in 1939. It uttered by branch past preshas always made its home on ident Campbell "Kim" Navy Street. John Robertson, president Reeves. However, when building "I was once in Kingston Canadian Red Cross, Oakville Branch age and accessibility conand someone asked me straints -- it would not have where I was from. When I said Oakville, the per- been cost effective to renovate and bring the old son said why have you come all this way? I building up to current building code standards -- answered, `You need some help,'" said Reeves. tipped the balance, the Oakville branch packed up Even when they're not helping out in a crisis, its home on Navy Street and moved to Unit 15 at local Red Cross volunteers will still be found lend- 1400 Cornwall Rd. ing a hand -- giving rides to those who need one The new branch office opened in November or leading safety training courses. and everyone was invited in for a tour at an open It was the values of the Red Cross -- to bring house held in January. assistance without discrimination to those in The space is new, fresh, modern, there is room need -- that got Robertson involved a decade ago. for the branch's fleet of five vehicles to come and Like most faces around the local branch, he's a go -- and it is located more toward the centre of volunteer. town as Oakville spreads northward. The Oakville resident is employed with Petro Besides a bright front foyer boasting informaCanada full-time, but has volunteered with the tion brochures, a nearby reception office is staffed local Red Cross in various capacities, acting as its by a friendly volunteer and displays of Red Cross president currently. safety-related items that are for sale. "We tend to keep our volunteers," said A main-floor training room has everything Robertson as he conducted a tour of what marks from instruction boards to closet space for the a huge change in the more than 60-year history See There page 14 OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Dear Roger, Is it ever okay to wear socks and sandals? Your furnace can affect your fashion sense. Now offering Energy Evaluations for $75, a savings of $150! For a limited time only. askroger.ca Find out how at