www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, May 22, 2014 | 4 Student sees his work come to life at Habitat build by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff An Oakville boy, whose award-winning poem led to a $60,000 contribution to a local Habitat for Humanity Halton build, had an opportunity to see the fruit of his labour Friday. Heritage Glen Public School student Arvin Bal, 11, visited the Pembroke Road construction site of a three-bedroom, single-family home that is now well underway. Scheduled to be complete by mid-July, it will soon be home for an Oakville mother of three. Much of the exterior construction is finished with walls and a roof giving some hint as to what the dwelling will look like when it is done. "I think it's great the house is being built here for somebody who doesn't have one," said Bal, who donned a hard hat and work boots to inspect the partially-completed dwelling. "I hope the family is happy with it." In 2013, the Grade 6 student submitted a poem in Genworth Canada's seventh annual Meaning of Home writing contest. The contest encouraged Grades 4-6 students from across the country to submit a written essay on what home meant to them for a chance to allocate $60,000 to a Habitat for Humanity build of their choice. Heritage Glen Public School Grade 6 student Arvin Bal, centre, saw the motivation for his winning poem unfold before his eyes when he visited the Oakville Habitat for Humanity Halton build site last week. Lending a hand with the build are Heritage Glen Public School Principal Joe Toth, left, and Bal's Grade 6 teacher Joanna Dyczko. | photo by David Lea Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) Halton.ca 311 Bal's submission, Happy Homes for Everyone, won out of more than 7,000 entries received in 2013. His decision to direct his prize toward a Habitat build in his community was not lost on Habitat for Humanity Halton Executive Director John Gerrard. "Genworth has been very supportive through the Meaning of Home contest and this year Arvin selected Habitat Halton as his recipient and that really makes a huge difference," he said. During his site tour, Bal also caught up with his principal Joe Toth and teacher Joanna Dyczko who volunteered to help build the special home. Dyczko said the pair was tasked with preparing framing for the structure's basement. "I thought it was important to show my support for Habitat for Humanity and show Arvin that our school is a community," she said. "He won the competition, but Mr. Toth and I, and the rest of the school, are behind him so we came as representatives." Toth said Bal's win was incredible and noted Heritage Glen works to connect its students with the community. Bal said Habitat projects are important because, as his poem states, everyone deserves a home. "They will have somewhere warm where they can make memories," he said, explaining he was inspired during a family trip to New York City where he learned many do not have the food and shelter others take for granted. Genworth Canada Community Leader Anita Booth said her company is happy to see the school and community coming together through the Meaning of Home contest, noting that is the contest's intention. To read Bal's essay , visit www. meaningofhome.ca. Notice of Construction Watermain Replacement and Wastewater Main Relining on New St. from Cumberland Ave. to Hampton Heath Rd. City of Burlington Alert: Your ash trees are at risk from the Emerald Ash Borer ® TruGreen, Canada's leading lawn and tree care company, has been contracted to treat ash trees on public lands in the Town of Oakville from June through August. Ash trees in the Oakville area are at risk from Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive pest that destroys ash trees if left untreated. Avoid the costs of removal and replacement by treating your ash trees today with help from TruGreen. Special pricing available for Oakville residents. Call or visit TruGreen online for details. 1-866-294-7962 TruGreen.ca Contract Number: Scheduled Start Date: Scheduled Completion Date: Project Manager: W-2743-14 May 2014 November 2015 Rick Ranalli 905-825-6000 x 7619 220514 Learn more about protecting your ash trees. Join the Oakville Canopy Club. For more information visit oakville.ca Please contact us as soon as possible if you have any accessibility needs at Halton Region events or meetings.