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

Big Sister wouldn't trade one-of-a-kind bond By John Bkila OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Having no children of her own, Oakville's Karen Gardener says being a Big Sister is a very rewarding, one-of-a-kind bond that she wouldn't give up for the world. "I'm sure it's what a parent feels watching their child change over the years and grow and ask intelligent questions. To have her say something back to you and you think, `Oh well, I taught her that,' it's special," said Karen, 57, who is now retired with her husband, Bob. September is Big Brothers and Big Sisters month, and Karen will be commemorating it with the sixth year she has been a Big Sister to 12-year-old Sarah. "She's like family to Bob and me. And sometimes when her mom is at work, she asks if Sarah can come over, just so she's not at home alone and (to) be with somebody," Karen said, noting the two often see each other two or three times a week, and sometimes more. Becoming a Big Sister was something Karen had often thought about, she said, initially joining an agency in 1997 in Brampton, where she and Bob used to live. "My husband and I weren't lucky enough to have children of our own. We both worked very hard and when we finally woke up, we realized we were kind of old to have kids of our own and set in our ways -- we weren't really sure if we wanted a little one, even to adopt," she said. So, joining the Big Sister program was the next best thing. After moving to Virginia State in the U.S. for her husband's work for 16 months, the couple moved to hours. And that's how Karen and Sarah first met. "When I joined (BBBSH) as a volunteer, I was paired with Sarah (who was six years old at the time) and another girl," Karen said. "I found Sarah and I immediately clicked and we started the process to be matched." See Big page 12 11 · Wednesday, September 5, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Being matched as a Big/Little pair means the two commit to meeting a minimum of four hours a week for a minimum of a year -- which is alright for Karen and Sarah, who often spend much more time with each other cooking, baking, doing crafts, scrapbooking, swimming, going to shows and movies, and not Karen Gardener Oakville in 2002 and Karen immediately joined Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Halton (BBBSH). The Halton Big Sister agency was first established in 1968 and eventually came together with Halton Big Brothers (established in 1965) in 2005. With its headquarters at 464 Morden Rd., the organization serves children between the ages of six and 14, living in Oakville, Milton, and Halton Hills. Zohra Najarali, co-ordinator of BBBSH volunteers, said the agency accepts children who are identified as having a need for special attention and support of a one-to-one adult mentor and/or through group activities, have a desire and interest to join the program, and whose parents can make a commitment to at least a year. The parent or guardian must enrol the child, but referrals to join the program can come from teachers, counsellors or community workers. Usually, the Big/Little combo meet at least once a week for a few If You Earn In Excess Of $20,000 Per Year And Are Not Incorporated, You Are Paying Too Much Income Tax. CALL THE INCORPORATORSTM NOW FOR A FREE CONSULTATION AT 905-469-8777 THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS JUST HOW MUCH MONEY YOU CAN SAVE THROUGH INCORPORATION.... INCORPORATION SERVICES BUSINESS OWNERS Net Income 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 120,000 140,000 Personal Income Tax 3,277 9,319 16,095 22,712 31,117 39,799 48,750 Corporate Income Tax 3,100 6,200 9,300 12,400 15,500 18,600 21,700 Income Tax Savings 177 3,119 6,795 10,312 15,617 21,199 27,050 ....AND THIS IS BEFORE WE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE CLAIMED EVERY POSSIBLE DEDUCTION THAT IS AVAILABLE TO YOU. WOULDN'T YOU LIKE TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE PAYING THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF INCOME TAX POSSIBLE? CALL THE INCORPORATORSTM NOW FOR A FREE CONSULTATION AT 905-469-8777 TAX PREPARATION SERVICES Wouldn't You Like To Know That You Are Paying The Minimum Amount Of Income Tax Possible? The Tax Advisory Will Prepare A Corporate And Personal Income Tax Plan For You That Will Help You Attain This Goal. ACT NOW!! LIMITED TIME OFFER GET UP TO CALL THE TAX ADVISORY NOW FOR A FREE ASSESSMENT OF YOUR CORPORATE AND PERSONAL INCOME TAX PLANNING SITUATION AT 905-469-8777 $ $ $ $ UP TO CARRIER REBATE 1450 + + 3100 *Call for details. * Why Should I Have The Tax Advisory Prepare My Business And Personal Income Tax Returns? · We have been preparing corporate and personal income tax returns for over thirty years. · We can help you achieve a 15.5% income tax rate on your combined business and personal income. · We will ensure that you pay only those income taxes you absolutely have to pay. · We will ensure that you take advantage of every deduction available to you. · Once per year, we will prepare for you, an income tax plan specifically designed to your business and personal circumstances. · Our rates are one-third to one-half that of our competition. Voted First Place Diamond Award Winner In The Categories of Incorporation Services, Tax Preparation Services And Business Advisory Services 10 YEARS IN A ROW! SERVING SMALL AND HOME BASED BUSINESSES FOR OVER 30 YEARS IN ® REBATES turn to the experts sm $ A MONTH O.A.C. 39 FROM ED FOSTER UP TO AIRE ONE INSTANT REBATE 1000 650 UP TO BEST PRICE GUARANTEED * FURNACE DIAGNOSTIC ONLY $ 00 Member of OPA REBATE THE FORECAST CALLS FOR 49 NORMALLY $99 HEATING & COOLING www.aireone.com · 1-888-827-2665 905-849-4998 905-632-0505 9 Locations To Serve You Better! A+ RATING *See dealer for details CALL THE TAX ADVISORY NOW FOR A FREE ASSESSMENT OF YOUR CORPORATE AND PERSONAL INCOME TAX PLANNING SITUATION AT 905-469-8777 ADVISORY COMMITTED TO REDUCING THE INCOME TAXES THAT YOU PAY www.thetaxadvisory.ca THE TAX INCORPORATORSTM COMMITTED TO INCORPORATING YOUR COMPANY THE RIGHT WAY THE FIRST TIME www.theincorporators.ca THE ADVISORY COMMITTED TO MAKING YOUR BUSINESS A SUCCESS www.thebusinessadvisory.ca THE BUSINESS