A cause that is uniting us all 7 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, July 23, 2009 $ 39 o.a.c. as low as 95 9 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER $3300 Up to per month Continued from page 6 in that town. The family asked if we would come to the funeral home to pay respects to Gary, who had been a childhood cancer ambassador on this ride. We arrived, in full team gear, to find members of the family and community supporting the grieving parents. They were telling stories through tears and laughter, all the while asking us about our ride for childhood cancer. At one point, Gary's uncle pulled out his wallet and gave us a $20 bill. He wanted us to help other families going through this terrible chapter in the cancer story. Redvers, Saskatchewan played its own role in helping kids. On a very hot June morning, hundreds of school children lined up to see us pull into a rest area. They asked for autographs on their shirts and hats, arms and pencil crayon kits. On that lonely, windy stretch of highway, they raised our spirits higher than they could possibly understand. They also raised a lot of money. In one case, two young girls stood up and presented us with a bag of pocket change they had collected from friends over the past year. They gave us more than $300. The local French immersion school -- of 80 students -- donated $2,600. Proceeds came from wearing jeans on casual Fridays and a bike-a-thon over the last year. This from a community of fewer than 1,000 people. Oakville, my hometown, is a big part of the childhood cancer fighting community. Countless neighbours and strangers came out to the Sears parking lot of Oakville Place on a rainy Saturday afternoon to greet all the riders as we made our way to SickKids Hospital. In the months leading up to that day, local business owners donated gifts and services in support of the ride, as did many residents through very generous contributions. Local schools, White Oaks Secondary School in particular, played a considerable role in fundraising. There are few things more satisfying to see as a parent than kids helping out other kids -- compassion without restriction. While riding into Halifax I thought about what all this meant to me. Among other things, it means I am fortunate to live in a community that is engaged in the welfare of its citizens. That sort of engagement doesn't just happen. It takes energy, commitment, passion, money and organization. It needs to be constantly nurtured, because in the case of childhood cancer, we're all in this together. E THIS OFF Purchase a Hi Efficiency Furnace and Receive a urchase Financing Available * Call For Details * LY! Y N! URRR WIILL BE OVER SHORT H (Installation Extra) In Tax Credit & Instant Rebate SALE ST THE BIGGE EVER! OVER 60,000 SATISFIED CUSTOMERS *Free central air Plus: NO Payment NO Interest For 6 Months O.A.C. O FREE CENTRAL AIR EE E AR 905-849-4998 www.aireone.com 1-888-827-2665 Reserve now and you will receive a central air absolutely free. This is a great opportunity to replace y y p your old inefficient furnace and air conditioner with hi efficiency and greatly reduce your utility bill. Call today to book an appointment with our Professional Home Comfort Advisors. LIMITED TIME OFFER. LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE. As of April 1st, 2009 Government Rebate has increased by 25%. Best opportunity to get your new furnace & A/C - the prices will never be better! 9 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER *See dealer for details A+ Rating Summer School Grades 1-12 Tutoring · Reading, Writing, Math, Study Skills and more High School Credits · · · · New or Upgrades Offered in July or August Average student teacher ratio 2:1 Credits are transfered to the student's school Chisholm also offers comprehensive educational assessments (psychoeducational) and a full-time private high school for students not reaching their academic potential 1484 Cornwall Road Oakville, ON 905.844.3240 www.chisholmcentre.com