www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday April 4, 2008 - 25 Oakville youths fighting poverty through 30-Hour Famine When it comes to tackling global poverty, Canadian youth are putting their money where their leaders' mouths are. In a newly released poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of World Vision, Canadians aged 14 to 18 reported donating, on average, about five per cent of their money to international charitable organizations. When asked how much of their total budget they think they could or should contribute toward international development, those polled said, on average, 6.5 per cent. By contrast, Canada's federal government spends approximately two per cent of its budget on foreign aid. World Vision, with other organizations in the Make Poverty History coalition, recommends staged increases to aid allotments over the next 10 years, effectively more than doubling the percentage of budget spent on aid by 2018. In this way Canada can meet its international commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of the Gross National Income on foreign aid. "Clearly, there's a disconnect between the eagerness of young Canadians to help eradicate poverty and what Canada is actually doing as a country," says Michael Messenger, vice-president of public affairs for World Vision. "Poverty eradication is an investment in a better global future -- the future that these youth represent. The fact they're giving considerably to international development efforts is tremendously significant," Messenger notes. In addition to giving money, Canadian youth are also giving of their time. Sixty-eight per cent of those surveyed said they had either volunteered, fundraised, organized an event, attended a workshop or conference, donated to a cause or campaigned, signed a petition or otherwise voiced their opinion on a global issue in the past year. The poll findings confirm what World Vision has long known: that Canadian youth care about their peers in developing countries -- and are acting on that concern. On April 11 and 12, more than 100,000 Canadian youth are expected to participate in the 37th annual World Vision 30-Hour Famine. They will fast for 30 hours to raise money for community development projects benefiting children in developing countries. Last year, Canadian youth raised $4.5 million through the 30-Hour Famine. Last year, youths in Oakville raised more than $52,196.63 towards the overall $4.5 million goal set out for the World Vision 30-Hour Famine. "The 30-Hour Famine is proof that Canadian youth want to make a difference," says Esther Park, event coordinator for World Vision. As she points out, it was the global consciousness of Canadian youth that gave rise to the World Vision 30-Hour Famine in the first place. A group of Calgary teens held the original fast in 1971, moved to action by TV images of a famine in Africa. The event now involves youth in 15 countries annually. This year, says Park, World Vision hopes the 30-Hour Famine will raise $5 million across Canada. The funds generated by the event will support projects to combat hunger, improve access to clean water, address HIV and AIDS, and help reintegrate former child soldiers into society. "According to our poll, Canadian youth are already doing more than many people realize to help people living in poverty," Park says. "They're also saying they want to do even more. The Famine is a way for them to do that -- and maybe inspire some adults to do more, too." To participate in the World Vision 30-Hour Famine, visit Famine.ca. PET Profile FEATURING... LUCY Lucy is a 7 month old Golden Doodle pup. She has the craziest hair but the most loveable attitude. She loves to be around people or other dogs. She loves walks and going in the lake. When she was just 10 weeks old, my husband took her out on the boat (beginning of November), she ran as fast as she could into the freezing water. She didn't come out until we left. We are waiting for this summer and excited to see her love the water! Some of her favourite treats are Dentabone, Rawhide bones and Busy Bones. PRODUCT REVIEWS PEDIGREE DENTABONE Halton-Hamilton Source Protection Committee Environment Representative The Halton-Hamilton Source Protection Region has established a Source Protection Committee, under the Clean Water Act, 2006. The Source Protection Committee is responsible for developing three pieces of documentation that will complete the source protection planning process: 1) a Terms of Reference, 2) an Assessment Report and 3) a Source Protection Plan. The Halton-Hamilton Source Protection Committee is comprised of 15 members, plus the Chair. One of the positions representing the environmental nongovernment organization has recently become vacant. The Halton Source Protection Authority is inviting individuals interested in filling this position to submit an application for their consideration. Job Description & Eligibility Requirements and Application Forms are available at Conservation Halton, 2596 Britannia Road West, Milton ON L9T 2X6 and Hamilton Conservation Authority, 838 Mineral Springs Road, Ancaster ON L9G 3L3. Please visit www.protectingwater.ca for further information on the Source Protection Committee application process. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, April 11, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. For more information on this program and on the Source Protection Committee, please contact Rebecca Hull, SWP Communications Specialist at rhull@hrca.on.ca or 905-854-9229 x221. www.protectingwater.ca 01117970 It's been clinically proven that a regular munch on a Pedigree Dentabone reduces the plaque and tartar build up that cause gingivitis. And what dog in their right mind could resist a tasty Pedigree Dentabone? You sked! A NICK Q: What do you sell to help me clean my yard after the winter? SKINEEEZ ANIMALS Bring out your dog's natural hunting instinct with our realistic Skineeez animals. Dogs will enjoy hours of entertainment flip-flopping our stuffing free toys! A: RAWHIDE Rawhide bones provide hours of chewing enjoyment for your dog. Please make sure that you offer rawhide that is appropriate for your dogs size and chewing ability! With spring quickly approaching and the last of winters snow almost gone one thing becomes very evident for most dog owners, YARD DUTY! Cleaning up after your dogs after a snowy winter in your back yard is made a lot easier with the use of Poop scoopers. Precision scoops offer a rake and a spade for easy clean up on grass. Flex rake offers either a rake and a spade or a straight scoop and a shovel; this is useful on gravel or paving stones. We also carry a large variety of biodegradable poop bags that you can put the waste in, since garbage bags are not recyclable.These are also useful on walks. To disinfect and get your yard smelling clean and fresh benefect is a great product that is safe for your pet and the environment. Store Hours: Mon. to Fri. 8am-8pm Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun. 10am-5pm 905-257-4611 Family Owned and Operated for Over 33 Years 4002 TRAFALGAR ROAD Corner of Trafalgar & Burnhamthorpe DOG TRAINING SEMINARS WITH DAVE WALKER - CALL TO REGISTER! 4052 Milburough Line RR2 Campbellville ON L0P 1B0 905.854.9229 Fax 905.854.9220 Saturday, April 5th .......Meet the Trainer-Bring Your Pet for Free Assessment ..2-4pm Tuesday, April 8th ........Behaviour/Problem Solving Seminar .......7-9:30pm Thursday, April 10th .....Obedience Classes .............. 6-7pm, 7-8pm,8-9pm Tuesday, April 15th.......Search and Rescue Canine Seminar .......7-9:30pm dwalker@crdogs.com www.crdogs.com 905-827-3647