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

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 8, 2008 - 11 Ontario's top cop speaks at Halton Trauma fundraiser By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Reduce abuse, eliminate the waiting list. Right now, children and adolescents aged three to 18, and their families affected by abuse, are waiting five months for help. That's too long. So the Halton Trauma Centre is intent on raising $50,000 through a Black & White Ball this Saturday (Feb. 9), to help eliminate that delay and restore peace, balance, comfort, harmony, and a sense of safety and security far earlier to victims and their families. "This year's eighth annual event, with its Casablanca theme, is shaping up to be our best ever," said the Centre's fundraising coordinator Margaret McConnell. It features a casino, magic, belly dancers, dinner, dancing, a live auction that includes an original necklace designed by Knarr's Jewelery, a concert ticket package to see Celine Dion, Spice Girls, Matchbox 20, James Blunt and Bon Jovi, and a trip to Montreal via Porter Airlines to see the Montreal Canadiens challenge the New Jersey Devils. Gift certificates to local restaurants, gyms and fashion retailers are also up for bidding. The money raised at the gala event goes directly into the Centre's services and programs. The Halton Trauma Centre was established in 1983 and is a leader in the field for treating young people who have faced physical, sexual, or emotional childhood abuse, with those displaying problematic sexualized behaviour, adolescents who have committed sexual offenses, and with sibling incest. The centre also conducts public awareness initiatives and research in the area of child abuse to promote best practice guidelines, treatment innovations, and public awareness. OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino is the keynote speaker at this Saturday's event. His presentation will focus on the effects of child abuse on society. Tickets for the Halton Trauma Centre's Casablanca Black & White Ball are $100 each. It takes place Saturday at 6 p.m. at LeDome Banquet Hall, 1173 North Service Rd. Log on to www.haltontraumacentre.ca for a ticket order form or call McConnell at 905825-3242 ext. 222. Free Valentine's Day Gift Wrap at Centre Court February 9-14 Oakville Place Gift Cards The Perfect Gift m co ! . ce ials la ep pec vill s k oa ore t isi r st vo f QEW & Trafalgar Rd.