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*1 The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, February 1, 2005-7 Man distributing pencils to promote learning globally r-eceii'e(/tc)r- his Oiigouulg illitititive By ROBIN DOWNTON-POIRIER Special to The Champion tl oas tlle simîple act ot tîstingý a1 requesi omn buis Weh slie Il Pinhîite Gallery - hlat t:iuuîhe&t HB mn Bignelt s otelte p u id- ing pencits and çsaper te childu ci n iced arouiid the iii Id. The respuinse te his requmest has been everss helming. -My kurts gave mie the idca JUSt before _______________________ Christnmas when " huh twudb ra thcy were tîtling ' huh twudb ra shoe boxes with te do something year-round gifts for the church ohl.1psete ( 0p e r at i on toe .I std e Christmnas Childi message just before that arc distribuîed C rsmso yW bst in needy counitries." Crsma nm W bst said Mr. Bignel, an and, a few weeks later, the Intemnet application pencils started to arrive." designer................... .... 1I thought it would be great 10 do '~ something year round to help. I post- cd the message just before Christmas on my Wcb site and, a few weeks later, the pencils started to arrive.' The Pinhole Gallery Web site receives approximately 2,000 bits a day worldwide and the outreach for the message is amazing, said Mr. Bigneil. To date, he has receîved almosi 300 pencils as well as pads of paper from people in different countries who want 10 help his efforts. He's in the process of eontacting several international organiza- lions 10 help distribute the peneils whcrc thcy're nceded. He said that, if peneils are necdcd locally, he would distribute thcmn here as well. "I do not want this to be a one-tirne thing for cach group that receives the pencils eithcr," stressed Mr. Bignell. "I want 10 build a relationship with them and send themn pencils on an ongoing basis." Mr. Bignell has done extensive work with many not-for-profit organizations over the years and enjoys giving back Io the com- munity and, in this case, around the world. He's senting an exam- pIe for hisî.âou.an.dauglitcr and. saidhotha.wre xit'XM- the pencil initiative. "It is easy 10 help once a year, primarily ai Christmas, but it sets a powerful example if you do il aIl year long," he said. "Reading and writing are basic gifts and if children are given the bools, they can thrive. The smallest change can make a difference." Pencils can be mailed 10 147 Thomas St., Milton, Ont., L9T 2E4. For more information or 10 help distribute tIhe pencils, con- tact Mr. Bignell by c-mail at gallery@pinhole.org. BURLINBTUN CAREER 1COMPUTER TRAININQ MS PolwerPolint Fhb Il Simply Accoiuntîng F.bnwy 14,15 www.hcctraulnom infaMIcctrdninex 1c FSAWZO.10 %W ordrlw 1 Wafhe of ffl w In Febraryl M~4Bot &M sL. #2Y Nft (SON) 870-90 Are you planning to make an RRSP Contribution? Douglas Riding BA, CFP, FMA For this year's RRSP Contribution, Talk to Milton's Retirement Planning ---.SptciaLs. The Riding Team (905) 876-2400 www.ridingteam.ca MInvestment Planning Counsel' FINALSTNT FEB.7tIIrïlud' * * -HME STOE Hug SOFFio Oof P REIUAPRCI 547~~MMBR Main StMEOMLON87E03 Byron Bignel shows off just a smatl sampling of the pencils he's received as part of his ongoing efforts ta send pendils and paper ta children in need araund the world. Photo by GRAHAM PAINE 4 j r qW sic