www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, May 7, 2014 | 12 Appleby College will host Relay for Life Halton by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff Bringing together a community in celebration of life and the fight against cancer, Relay for Life Halton is set for May 30. The new event, which go until midnight, as opposed to overnight, at Appleby College, is a condensed version of the Canadian Cancer Society's original signature fundraising event, which raises funds for cancer research. The new format allows those who enjoy all the aspects of relay, but can't commit to the 12-hour time period to participate, says CCS' Halton Unit fundraising co-ordinator Shelley Frank. "Not everyone can stay up overnight and it doesn't mean they're not appreciative of the cancer journey," she said. "They might have young kids or be seniors or perhaps they're still undergoing cancer treatment." Teams of 10-15 people are encouraged to fundraise and gather at the independent school on Lakeshore Road West beginning at 7 p.m. to take turns walking laps in support of the CCS. Andy Jelinek, director of service learning at Appleby College, said the school is thrilled about continuing its tradition of doing what it can to support the Canadian Cancer Society event. "Our school adores the event. It has a long Relay for Life Halton takes place at Appleby College, 540 Lakeshore Rd. W., on May 30 from 7 p.m.-midnight. It's the 13th year the school has sponsored the fundraiser where students organize, plan and run most of the event. Pictured are the Grade 9 students at Appleby College helping organize the school-portion of the event. Back row, from left, are Christiane Gafrey, Lukasz Cegla, Andrew Li, Iman Ayorinde, Vincent (Oliver) D'Aguilar and William Jelinek. In the middle are Eve Peng, Olivia Perkin, Jordan Savage, Aadam Ahmed, Madeline Keizer and Jeremy Rousseau. In the front are Chloe Anderson, Melanie Forbes, Nicole Lee, Ryan Johnston, Kathryn Brown, and Carolann Craig. | photo courtesy Appleby College institutional memory with the school and the said, noting this is the 13th year the school is students look forward to it every year," she sponsoring the fundraiser. On event day between 2-4 p.m., she said, the school hosts a "serving learning aspect of the event" for its students as a precursor to Relay for Life. "We have (a station on) the importance of nutrition related to cancer, we have someone speaking about toxins in the environment, we have survivors speaking about their experience, the opportunity to build a healing labyrinth for people to walk through and we have the ability for people to ask questions about cancer," said Jelinek, noting students will walk through 18 stations. The event is being organized by a group of 18 Grade 9 students who have been working feverishly since March Break. Jelinek said Appleby prides itself on providing leadership opportunities for its students and educating them about charities and causes. Relay for Halton is one of four relay events in Halton. The others include: · Relay for Life Burlington on June 6, 7 p.m.-7 a.m., at Bronte Creek Provincial Park, 1219 Burloak Dr. · Relay for Life Milton on June 13, 7 p.m.-7 a.m., at Milton Fairgrounds, 136 Robert St. · Relay for Life Oakville, June 20, 7 p.m.-7 a.m., at Sts. Peter & Paul Parish, 1039 Dundas St. W. For more information, visit www. relayforlife.ca. Invest in your home during our annual.. 3 3 3 ROCK reaches out on mental health week by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff SAVE up to 30 Best Windows & Doors 2002-2013 Best Awnings 2013 Best Sunrooms 2006-2013 % Call for details HOME SHOWROOM S is not a sponso orse it in any way. end *** Tim Horton's zes and does not provided the pri com qsiwindows. n, has not r of this promotio FREE!*** . 175 Nebo Rd 905-575-8078 Hamilton Toll-Free 1-866-575-8078 Burlington 905-639-8078 R0012692727 e it s b e W W E N r u o it is V ive and rece Book Online For Children's Mental Health Week, Oakville's Reach Out Centre For Kids (ROCK) facility, 504 Iroquois Shore Rd., Unit 12A, will hold an open house Thursday (May 8). The event, which runs 1-4 p.m., will feature a tour, activities for kids and opportunities to talk with ROCK staff and directors. The Oakville ROCK offers walk-in clinic services for youths dealing with mental health issues on Tuesdays from noon until 8 p.m. -- the last session begins at 6:30 p.m., giving them instant access to a professional therapist. The non-profit accredited children's mental health centre houses a variety of mental health services including individual and group therapy, trauma treatment and crisis response. The open house celebrates ROCK's move, in mid-March, from Kerr Street to its new Iroquois Shore Road location. "That office had limited space and limited parking," said Oriana Bak, communications coordinator with ROCK. "This has allowed us to branch out and have free parking, which is a definite bonus for our clients. It is also very accessible because it is right near the mall so there is easy transit access. It is a significant expansion of space. This new office is about four times bigger." The change was made possible through a partnership with the Oakville-based construction management company, the Penalta Group and their principal Terry Wallace. ROCK's Director of Foundation Kirsten Dougherty said that through Wallace's philanthropic efforts, the building now perfectly meets her organization's needs. "The way he has done it made it available to us exactly as it was required for mental health. There is a huge amount of privacy required so you need soundproofing. We couldn't move into any office building," she said. "There is also a whole piece to the optimistic and hopeful look of a mental health centre. You don't want it to be very dark and closed. You want it to be very light, lots of glass. The whole waiting room for this place is glass and when you walk in there is an entire loft from the upstairs to the downstairs. It really makes people feel very welcome and hopeful." Dougherty said she believes it will allow ROCK to help more children -- and the open house will help create awareness. "We are trying to help people realize that mental health and physical health should not be separated. It is about being healthy. Just because you are a parent, that does not make you an expert on your child's mental health. They don't come with an instruction manual and it is OK to ask for help," said Dougherty. "If your child was sick or had a broken leg, you would not have to fix it on your own. You would take them to a doctor. One in five kids is having mental health issues." To RSVP to the open house, email rsvp@ rockonline.ca. For more information about ROCK, visit www. rockonline.ca.