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

3 · Friday, February 19, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com In business to boost kids in the community Continued from page 1 value of respect and inclusiveness." Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn said, "They say that education is the great equalizer. Well, I think the same thing applies to sports." He went on say how athletes who have been successful are always thankful to the people who have supported them. "The one thing that is consistent among people who are successful as they endeavor in sports is that they have been given the opportunity to succeed. That is what you (the YMCA) are providing here," he added. The awareness portion of the campaign runs until March 15 during which time the YMCA is holding special events that aim to show what programs it provides in the community. Donations are collected all year round. Members of the Optimist Club of Oakville were present at the event where they gave a monetary donation to the club. The Optimist Club has been a long time financial supporter of the YMCA. "It's exactly in the focus of what we do," said current Optimist Club president, Tom Cochran. "We are all about helping kids in the community, that's why we raise money, that's why we participate and volunteer in festivities, that's why we put quite a bit of effort in helping the Y and other organizations that help kids." YMCA president and CEO Darryl McKenzie said the YMCA helps children NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER stay healthy physically through things such as teaching them how to swim, STRONG INFLUENCE: YMCA Strong kayak or build fires. It also teaches them Kids Campaign Chair Tim Clarke speaks about things such as teamwork and community the huge role the Y had in his life growing up. involvement, however, to provide these services the YMCA needs help from its community. "One of the philosophies at the YMCA is that everyone should have an opportunity to participate in our programs regardless of their ability to pay so for us to be able to provide that, we need to raise money. This is our primary vehicle for doing that." Also speaking at the event was Mayor Rob Burton, who said the campaign is important because "a strong community is the law of the land and you can't have strong communities without strong kids." The YMCA was established as a charitable organization dedicated to the health of individuals and communities more than 150years ago. It was established more than 50 years ago in Oakville. W e s t m e d i a Metroland Metroland g r o u p XTENDED E EADLINE RY 22 D A O FEBRU T www.oavillebeaver.com Sign Up On Line www.ultimatedrivers.ca DRIVING IS A PRIVILEGE, LET US HELP YOUR EARN IT Six Programs to choose from: 17 Years ent of Excell Service · Defensive Driving Certificate Program - MTO Approved Minimizes Road Test Time and Qualifies for Maximum Insurance Discount · Advance Defensive Driving Program Minimizes Road Test Time, Qualifies for Maximum Insurance Discount and Teaches You Emergency Skills · Driver Retraining Program for Reinstating Driver's License · Complete Refresher Program Prepares you for G2 or G License · Refresher Program Helps Reviewing your Driving Habits for Test · Preparation and Evaluation Warm Up Practice Before the Test WEEKEND & EVENING PROGRAMS AVAILABLE. MARCH BREAK SPECIAL 4 DAY CONDENSED PROGRAM MARCH 13-16 MARCH 17-20 * $ Valid on Defensive Driving Program Only SAVE 50.00 407 Speers Road Suite 205 s r r TM Gift Certificates Available 905-825-1172