Wednesday May 24, 2000 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER V A K viL L t: J j RE? r ' O ftr a r k ? ____________ * 4 / ________________ B1 § k Are you a Jones or a Claiborne? Are you a Tommy or a Ralph? Find your true fashion identity this spring at By Consignment. Many spring items now 25 to 50 percent oft. Get designer labels at rock bottom prices. Yog'll never shop retail again! ^ J H O O p E R 'S B y Consignment 115 Trafa'il^ ln i^ N L^ , ^ C 338-3474 B k QPEH7 0AYS A WEEK___________ OFFICIAL MEDIA SPO N SO R O F TH E OAKVILLE WATERFRONT FESTIVAL Focus __ _ _ J ^ fo O ca dJ ow d U ' i W aterfront fu th r c C L Oakville Beaver Focus Editor: WILMA BLOKHUIS 845-3824 Ext: 250 WELLSPRING HOUSE Serenehaven for cancerpatients By Howard Mozel OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The first thing that strikes you upon entering Wellspring House is the light. Not lighj from the many elegant fix tures donated by the builders but the nat ural, healing sun that pours in through the many windows - illumination that is perfect for warming the spirit, says Wellspring executive director Lynda Morrison. "It's just unb eliev ab le what the builders have done," she said. The benef a c t o r s Morrison p r a i s e d include The Metrontario Group and Mattamy Homes Ltd. which donated the construction cost of the premises worth an estimated $300,000. Countless others have also adopted the new satellite facility, says decor co-ordinator and long-time volun teer Liz Thomson. "It has been embraced with total enthusiasm," she said. "It's difficult to ask for things . . . but the people of both Oakville and Mississauga have been quite generous. There has been no nega tivity, just a lot of community sharing." Adds Morrison: "We've been unbe lievably blessed. We've had more than 100 people volunteer to work in the house." The end result of this goodwill is a facility which will serve the aims of the Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation in spades with activity areas, a library, support rooms and more. All this will play a part in Wellspring's role as an innovative support facility which is slated to open shortly in Uptown Core Park. There, can cer patients and their families will receive comfort, support, practical information and much more. Wellspring's suc cess rests with the high quality of its 30 support pro grams - all of which are predicated on the same princi ple of peer-to-peer counselling. This empathy goes a long way, especially for recently diagnosed individuals. There are no medical treatments of any kind. The main activity room - including a gas fireplace, vaulted ceiling, French doors and plenty of windows - is large enough for at least 12 people to practice yoga. Everyone is welcome to the peer sup port room without a referral. There peo ple can talk, receive support from volun teers who can direct them to appropriate Photo by Barrie Erskine N atu ral light is a m ajo r facto r in the design an d construction of W ellspring H ouse in O ak P ark . This p a rt of the w rap -aro u n d porch overlooking a p a rk an d a pond provides fo r a serene setting. Wellspring was established in 1992 programs. A volunteer will always be on commanding view of the park and the duty at the front reception desk during pond. There is also a second floor art to help fill the void between the cancer therapy room. The basement is large care system and support services. It is house hours. enough to hold meetings and any can now located in the non-institutional set Then there's the kitchen. "Here people can make themselves at cer-related group is welcome to use it. ting of a coach house in downtown Although the house has two offices, home," said Morrison, who explains that Toronto but usage numbers soon dictat the mind and soul can take longer to heal both are small so that the majority of than the body. "It can be a port in the space is dedicated to fulfilling the ed expansion in a "community focused way," said Morrison. Foundation's mandate. storm." After the July long weekend, In fact, Morrison continued, patients The programs are open to all cancer often feel so comfortable at Wellspring Wellspring's hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 patients regardless of where they live. that some have been known to slip into p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 The Oakville site - which is associat a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. sleep. ed with Credit Valley Hospital, the des Two wine and cheese receptions "It means they're finding something have been planned for all those who ignated cancer treatment centre for healing here," she said. Wellspring House also includes a helped see the house through, on June Halton and Peel - is one of two pilot library, handicapped washroom and 7th and 15th. The official opening is projects. The other -is linked to Sunnybrook Medical Centre. another upstairs support room with a scheduled for September 21st. Photo by Barrie Erskine O verseeing th e W ellspring H ouse p ro ject are, from left, L ynda M orrison, executive d irecto r of W ellspring; H elen B ren t o f W ellsp rin g 's b o a rd o f d irecto rs; Peggy B udd, W ellspring's volun teer ch air o f co m m unications fo r H alto n a n d Peel; an d Liz Thom son, a long tim e volunteer. Photo by Peter C. McCusker W ellspring House is curren tly u n d e r construction in U ptow n C ore P ark . Qrand Opening fioutiqm Saliva (form erly L ily 's ((Fashion) If you're trying to save money, start by im m ediately leasing a M ercedes. Lease a 2000 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sedan for only Saturday Way 27 'ibhon C utting by M ayor A nn a t 3p.m. 1 freshm ents per month s399 tic fu e the Latest Josh w 333 Lakeshore Road Oakville, Ontario ·$5,500 down, 33 monlh lease, 6.1% interest, plus freight, taxes and license, optional rims shown, O A C . Lease based 16,000knVyr. 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