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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday February 6, 2008 - 9 Living Oakville Beaver LIVING EDITOR: ANGELA BLACKBURN Phone: 905-845-3824, ext. 248 Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: angela@oakvillebeaver.com Fasting a quick way to gain new outlook By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER D LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER FIFTEEN LONG DAYS: Doug Perras had to avoid his kitchen as he fasted for 15 days, drinking only water, to raise money for the local charity SafetyNet. ouglas Perras has gained a perspective that is unfortunately understood daily by the 31,000 people in Halton who live below the poverty line. He has just completed a 15-day fast, drinking only a water with maple syrup, lemon, salt and cumin concoction until yesterday, in an effort to raise money for struggling families and a local charity that helps them. Perras created and is participating in the Fast 4 Famine. Through sponsorships of this challenge he's raising much-needed funds, awareness and non-perishable groceries for SafetyNet Children and Youth Charities in Halton. The fundraiser and charity are both newcomers to Halton. This is the first annual Fast 4 Famine and SafetyNet was founded in May 2007. Perras met SafetyNet's founder Bill Shields ­ who created the registered charity after working 20 years as a social worker in Toronto ­ last November, at Hopedale Mall. At the time, each had set up temporary shop for their respective interests: Shields for SafetyNet and Perras for his gift importing company called Asian Elephant. As part of a leadership course Perras is completing, he is required to take on a community project. So the local resident figured raising money for SafetyNet was the right fit. Perras is a big believer in SafetyNet's philosophy that "all people are connected to one another and, if one should fall, it is not without consequence to all." Foregoing food for two weeks seemed an appropriate way to generate some attention for the organization that provides emergency food at its Randall Street Foodbank and will even deliver to people without the money or access to transportation. SafetyNet also supplies volunteer tutors for children from low-income homes who are struggling academically, clothing for people of all ages, teaches youth living on their own basic life skills such as cleaning, cooking, laundry, grocery shopping and income budgeting, as well as parenting workshops. According to the SafetyNet website (www.safetynetservices.ca) "society's progress is not measured only by technological and monetary advancement, but also by its compassion for those who are facing difficulties and hardships." Just eight months after its conception, founder Bill Shields said the need for its services is rapidly evident. "We became busy quickly," he said. In the first five months, $4,300 in food and clothing was given out to impoverished families in Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Georgetown. To keep up with the obvious need, Perras is looking for others to follow his lead by taking on either a five, 10 or 15-day fast. And he plans to organize this event annually. To donate to SafetyNet, or participate in the Fast4Famine contact Perras at dperras@fasting4famine.com or call 905-829-1764, or Shields at donations@safetynetservices.ca or call 905-845-7233. Casablanca-style gala to benefit Halton Trauma Centre The Halton Trauma Centre will host its eighth annual Valentine's gala this Saturday, Feb. 9. Tickets cost $100 each to the Black and White Ball that will offer entertainment Casablanca-style. There promises to be magic, mystery, live music, belly dancing, dinner, and prizes to be won at Rick's Casino as well as both a live and silent auction featuring gifts, products and services. This year's special guest will be Julian Fantino, Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police. The event will be held at LeDome Banquet Hall, 1173 North Service Rd. A cocktail reception begins at 6 p.m. Each year the Halton Trauma Centre (HTC) continues to advance the cause for breaking the cycle of child abuse by providing clinical assessment and treatment services to children, adolescents and the families that are affected. Last summer the HTC moved from North Service Road to a streetfront location just west of Oakville Harbour, at 60 Lakeshore Rd. in the former premises of a credit union office. It boasts more than 400 sq. ft. additional space, has doubled its treatment rooms from two to four, and though there was a $75,000 fundraising campaign to pay for the move -- Ilona Kopriva, who operates the adjacent funeral home, gave the centre a generous offer that will actually see it save money so it can treat more clients. The Halton Trauma Centre was first established in Oakville in 1983, on a volunteer basis, by a trio of social workers. It gained some provincial funding in 1980. The centre has an approximate five-month waiting list and treats 3,300 clients annually. For more information contact fundraising@haltontraumacentre.ca or call 905-825-3242, ext. 222.