www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, September 5, 2012 · 12 Big Sister offers a safe home away from home Continued from page 11 to mention a couple of shopping excursions here and there. "She's fun to be around and she's nice," Sarah said of her Big Sister, Karen. "She always has great ideas for us to do... It's cool because there's a lot of stuff that we have done, that I wouldn't have been able to do with my mom. "My mom works a lot... so it's nice to come over here (Karen's house) and do something, instead of being at home by myself," Sarah said. For Karen, she said she sees the BBBSH program as not only important for the Little, but for the Big as well. "Not only does it gives the Little another adult to spend time with one-onone... (but) I also think my husband and I are positive role models for Sarah. She knows she can call, if she needs anyone to talk to or come over. So in that, I think Taking steps, inspiring hope Bronte Creek Provincial Park Saturday, September 22 Registration 10 a.m. | Walk 11 a.m. " I find it hard to imagine that once, my life as I knew it was put on hold due to kidney disease. Krystal King received a life-saving kidney donation from her aunt when she was 20 years old Read more about Krystal's experience at www.kidney.ca/ontario-walk-blog-2012 " With thanks to our sponsor Help us change lives, one step at a time Visit www.kidneywalk.ca or call 1-800-387-4474 ext. 4964 it's very important for her to know that she's safe, if mom's at work, there's someone else to look out for her," Karen said. "As for the Big, it's very rewarding to have someone grow up and have that contact with, I mean other than family. You don't very often have that one-on-one contact (with nieces and nephews) consistently, like every single week, to watch them grow... I like kids. I enjoy doing things with kids. I love to have them around and if we can help the child and give her different experiences, then I'm all for it." Currently, BBBSH has 105 children matched with a Big Brother or Sister, 77 of whom are in Oakville; while collectively, the agency serves more than 1,000 children through all of its programs, including homework club, in-school mentoring and group activity. "But there is always a need for more volunteers in any capacity," Najarali said. "At any given time, we have more than 100 children who are waiting to be MARTA IWANEK / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER ONE OF THE FAMILY: Oakville Big Sister Karen Gardner keeps a photo of her Little Sister Sarah on the mantle at her home. The youth has become like one of the family. shalton.ca for an application package or call 905-339-2355. An information session is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 27 from 6-7 p.m. at the BBBSH office on Morden Road. matched. We have programs for volunteers who can only commit to a few hours a month to a few hours a week." Anyone interested in volunteering can visit www.bbb- 22 Annual Tent Sale nd Our Biggest Sale Event Ever! Burlington Location Only Friday September 7 10:00 am - 9:00 pm Saturday September 8 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Sunday September 9 11:00 am - 5:00 pm NEW FOR 2012: LIVE AUCTION SATURDAY AT 2PM, FOOD DRIVE & RAFFLE, BBQ & REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE LLE OAKVI ON ATI LOC% F 20 OF IDE W STORE 4047 Fairview St. Burlington · 905.634.3439 500 Speers Road, Oakville · 905.339.3439 info@interiordesignhouse.com · www.interiordesignhouse.com