www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, June 26, 2015 | 16 We may never know we're changing lives, but it's trying that counts: O'Dea continued from p.10 "Some guy who didn't know me, in and out of my life in the blink of an eye, dropped a dime in hand and changed my life. You could say I built my entire life on that dime," said O'Dea. "He has no idea of what he did. He never will. What a wonderful metaphor for what we do at the Oakville Community Foundation and other organizations." In 1974, O'Dea moved back to Oakville to sell construction equipment. He eventually met Tom Culligan, with whom he co-founded Second Cup (a chain of gourmet coffees and teas) in 1975. "Why don't we charge more for our coffee than anybody else in the mall? So people will know they got a good cup of coffee. It worked like a charm. People lined up and never went away," said O'Dea. Once Second Cup opened 70 stores, O'Dea sold his company shares to Culligan. In the 1980s, he met Peter Dalglish and created an animated film and Street Kids International, a group that empowers youth in the developing world to break the cycle of poverty. "Two guys met on an airplane and changed the world. Don't tell me your ideas don't matter. Don't tell me it can't be done. Don't tell me that ideas aren't important. You can change the world," said O'Dea. In 1999, O'Dea co-founded the Canadian Landmine Foundation, which raises funds for the dismantling of minefields around the world. Its fundraising program, Night of a Thousand Dinners, has raised millions across 29 countries. O'Dea currently chairs the Royal Roads University Foundation and is on the board of private and not-for-profit organizations. He has published two books, When All You Have Is Hope and Do the Next Right Thing: Surviving Life's Crises. "Sometimes we don't know what we're doing is making a difference and perhaps we will never know anymore than that guy who handed me the dime, but it's the doing of it that's important," said O'Dea. "It's the continuous effort, continuous vision, continuous understanding and responsibility that we have to give back." Fewer Fewer " er, er, ah, ums" per class. class. Glossophobia: the fear of public speaking. Our students learn its definition Glossophobia: the fear of public speaking. Our students learn its definition and how to overcome it. and how to overcome it. During morning assembly from preschool to grade During morning assembly from preschool to grade eight they take turns performing in front of peers. eight they take turns performing in front of peers. Learning feel comfortable Learning to feel comfortable in their own skin and to express themselves with to confidence and courage. in their own skin and to express themselves with confidence and courage. All windshield, door & back glass in stock Certified Auto Glass Technicians with 22 years of experience Book your tour today. fernhillschool.com We pay up to 100% of insurance Deductible · We deal directly with your Insurance Company · Life time Warranty against leaks · Stone chip repairs · Free Mobile Service · Free Pickup & Drop OFF d this a n o i t Men ree get F ers and d wip ke l e i h s ma wind most es to odels and m Appli ARE YOU TRULY DIVERSIFIED? A world-class asset manager--based in Oakville--Acorn invests over $100 million on behalf of institutions and accredited investors seeking true diversification to achieve beer portfolio returns and risk reduction. Let Acorn help you diversify your portfolio. Contact us to find out how at www.acorn.ca or 905-257-0773 281 Speers Road Oakville ON 905.339.0339 1.855.339.0339 www.speersautoglass.ca W ay th iza tR Ke be d cr of El rr n St Qu ee Sp e er sR al Dr oa Do W ye . rv d