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18 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 13, 2009 www.oakvillebeaver.com Tasty launch being held for Strong Kids campaign C hildren and adults alike will be enjoying a delicious start to the 2009 Strong Kids campaign at the YMCA of Oakville. On Saturday, Feb. 21 at 9 a.m., you can get a plate of two, freshlymade waffles, topped with whipped cream and strawberry topping, for a donation of $5 or more. The mixes, toppings and all the irons for preparing these warm and wonderful treats are being provided by the very generous Arthur Chan, president of Waffles International in Oakville. His company distributes pan- cake and waffle flour, toppings and related products to restaurants. It also supplies and services professional waffle irons. Chan and his family are longtime Y members and Chan has been participating in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at the Oakville Y since suffering a heart attack last summer. "As the father of six children, including an autistic son, and grandfather of five, I see the importance of the Y in the community," said Chan. "I've benefited from the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program and I know how the Y has helped my son, so I'd like to make a gesture to support the Strong Kids campaign. This is a beautiful facility with friendly, approachable staff." "Chan is of those quiet people who helps so many individuals and organizations in many ways, behind the scenes," said Deb Thomson of the Annual Giving Campaign. "He and his wife Ronna support school breakfast programs and fundraisers in Oakville and in the Philippines. Since coming to Canada from the Philippines 45 years ago, Arthur has built a successful business and takes responsibility for helping others when he can. "With Chan's help -- along with the members and visitors who come here on Feb. 20 for waffles -- we can get our 2009 Strong Kids campaign off to a great start," Deb said. The YMCA Strong Kids fundraising campaign seeks to raise money to support children and youths who need Y financial assistance. "The YMCA is a charity," said Thomson, "and we believe that everyone should be able to participate in our programs, regardless of their ability to pay the fees." See you at the YMCA of Oakville at 410 Rebecca Street on Feb. 21 at 9 a.m. Come hungry. -- Submitted by the YMCA of Oakville The Regional Municipality of Halton www.halton.ca 3Rs of Plastic Bags Reduce & Reuse GreenCart Acceptable Liners It's up to you whether you line your GreenCart or not. If you choose to line your GreenCart, here are the acceptable liners: Paper towels Cardboard Paper bags Paper food waste bags Products Institute (BPI) logo: Bring Your Own Bag On average, Ontarians use seven million plastic bags each day--that's about four bags per person every week. Imagine the impact if everyone uses reusable bags and avoids plastic bags altogether! Reduce your waste--use reusable shopping bags or bins when visiting the grocery store or mall. Take It Back! Halton Take plastic bags back to the store Take plastic shopping bags back to local retailers to be recycled. Take It Back! Halton partners easily recycle plastic shopping bags into more bags or into plastic lumber because the bags don't have to be sorted and are not contaminated from other materials. Take It Back! Halton partners do not accept oxo-biodegradable bags. Visit www.halton.ca/takeitback for a list of stores that take back plastic shopping bags. Bags that display the BPI logo are designed to compost quickly and safely when composted in a commercial composting facility. For a list of GreenCart acceptable liners and where they can be purchased, visit www.halton.ca/waste. GreenCart materials in the following bags will not be collected: Plastic shopping bags Plastic garbage bags Green plastic recycling bags Oxo-biodegradable bags By excluding these plastic bags, we supply the composting facility with a clean Blue Box No plastic bags Plastic bags are not accepted in the Blue Box. Plastic bags get caught in the sorting facility's machinery and conveyor belts slowing down the recycling process, or they stick to glass and dirt leading to contamination. Only put acceptable recycling materials at the curb in a Blue Box. Visit www.halton.ca/waste for a list of locations where you can get additional Blue Boxes. Regional Chair's Environmental Awards: What's Your Green Idea? Halton Region is now accepting applications for the Regional Chair's Environmental Awards program. Students who demonstrate their environmental leadership through initiatives in their school or in their community can win $500 for their school or a scholarship of $1,000 towards environmental post-secondary studies. The deadline to apply is March 13, 2009. Gary Carr Regional Chair I also encourage the business community and residents to show their support by sponsoring an award or scholarship, or by purchasing a table at the upcoming awards breakfast on April 23, where our keynote speaker will be Jay Ingram, host of the Daily Planet and former host of Quirks and Quarks. For details visit www.halton.ca. Halton Regional Meeting Schedule Feb. 16 Feb. 24 Feb. 25 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Offices closed for Family Day Health & Social Services Committee Planning & Public Works Committee Administration & Finance Committee 130209