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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, October 23, 2015 | 6 They led in by the hundreds -- and raised thousands -- in support of single-parent families facing homelessness. Last Sunday, Oakville's independent girls' school, St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School, which has long been nestled at its southeast Oakville, Linbrook Drive address, played host to the ninth annual Empty Bowls fundraiser organized by Home Suite Hope (HSH). St. Mildred's picked up as the event's host several years ago, after Appleby College had successfully held its inaugural and numerous follow-up editions. Months ahead of the fundraiser, local students, art studios and others hosted painting parties where one-of-akind pottery bowls were crafted and red and handed over to event organizers. Those creations then found their way to Empty Bowls, where patrons arrived and selected which bowl they'd like to use -- and later take home as a memento. Bowl in-hand, they then sampled soups, delicately and lovingly concocted by many of the most-reputed chefs Oakville's many ne restaurants have to offer. The patrons enjoyed the repast amid the company of friends and family. The highly popular event, that boasts a classy address, catered fare and more than a dash of artistic measure, is akin to a soup kitchen. Empty Bowls is a reminder of what a soup kitchen is and who it serves. For amid the apparent wealth of Oakville, there are those who are struggling -- in fact, many are those who once lived a comfortable lifestyle locally, but fell upon hard times, be it a loss of job, marriage breakdown or health crisis. Now, these same folks, who may have once attended and donated at Empty Bowls, or participated in a painting party, are struggling to make ends meet, to put food on the table, to clothe their children -- or put a roof over their head. Over the years, HSH has served numerous clientele and, most recently, set its gaze on helping single parents, primarily woman-led, families. It offers a holistic approach in that while it provides families a place to live, a roof over their heads, it works to eliminate any long-term relationship with homelessness and all the adjunct problems that come with it. This is accomplished by providing across-the-board support and guidance, connecting people to education, training and helping open doors. It offers a temporary reprieve at the same time as it provides a solid bridge to a better future. Empty Bowls is a soup kitchen. And as much as one would not expect to nd that in Oakville, it was here last weekend -- a rm reminder that as much as one would not expect to nd a soup kitchen, any more than poverty, need or homelessness, in the reputedly af uent Oakville, they are all here. We must pay attention to the signals, as hidden as many may be, and then do what we can to help those who need a hand up -- our neighbours, our family members, our acquaintances. There should not be empty bowls in Oakville, or anywhere. Everyone should have a place to call home-sweethome and a life in which they have hope. Serving up hope in Empty Bowls Editorial H I G H ­ F L Y E R "Connected to your Community" 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 53 | Number 85 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice ­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager SANDY PARE MARK DILLS Oakville-based iFLY Toronto hosted a hair-raising fundraiser in support of those living with autism and mental health issues. Partnering with Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services, iFLY held a 24-hour skydiving marathon last weekend (Oct. 17-18). Pictured, Max Fitzgerald, 8, stretches out his hands as he ` ies' with instructor Sebastien Plourde. | photo by Justin Greaves ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) Director of Production MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Letters to the Editor Everyone should follow rules of the road Upon receiving the Oakville Beaver earlier this season, I sat down to relax with my morning coffee and newspaper. I noticed a front page news item, "Police remind motorists of new road rules." I like that the `Making Ontario Roads Safer Act' has been amended to include the `Move Over Law' that will help ensure the safety of law of cers, EMS attendants, re rescue and tow-truck operators. I also agree with the crackdown on distracted drivers, who are using cellphones or other electronic devices, and hope it further includes the application of makeup/lipstick, combing hair, etc. Making an effort to protect the safety of cyclists (young and old), is also very important, i.e. opening the door into the path of a cyclist. However, forcing motorists to give way, `by a metre,' for cyclists could be dangerous for the motorist as well as any oncoming traf c, because of the way many cyclists ride on the road. Local cycling clubs, sometimes as many as 10-15 cyclists, ride bunched together taking up much of the lane and making it dif cult to get past them. Very often, two cyclists will ride sideby-side in the middle of the lane, forcing cars to drive slowly behind, with much dif culty getting around them safely. Now, I am the oldest of the two sons my parents had. My brother and I have lived in Oakville most of our lives. Our father taught us to ride our bikes... and the rules of the road, obey the signs and, importantly, ride single- le. We would bike 15-20 kilometres each morning before school/work... always single- le. What I would like to see is cyclists being held to the same standard of following the rules of the road, as are motorists, with penalties being issued to those who do not follow them. I recognize all cyclists' rights to be on the road, and if we all follow the rules of the road, the traf c will ow in a much safer manner. Doug Paterson, Oakville Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 or via email to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.