B2 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, Wednesday, November November 17, 17,199< 1999 Our Entire Collection of FALL & WINTER COATS Sizes 4 to 20 NOW `TIL SATURDAY ONLY Big Sisters go high-tech By Claudia D 'Souza SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Just in time for a brand new century, the Oakville Big Sister Association has gone high-tech, officially opening its Resource Centre. The non-profit agency purchased the works - computers, printers, desks, chairs and tables, thanks to the generous donations of the Junior League of Toronto West Geographic Group ($2,000), The Community Foundation of Oakville ($2,500), May Court Club of Oakville ($2,000) and St. John's Outreach Program ($500). Vol Net, a federal Government initiative administered by Industry Canada, offered Internet connections and computer equipment at a discounted price. Topped off with software donated by Microsoft Canada under the Kidreach Program, a number one training facility was bom. "Big Sisters is very excited about opening the doors to our Little Sisters for homework assistance as well as use of com puters and the Internet for homework projects," notes execu tive director Marilyn Markow. "Our goal is to offer an after school program (4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday) to assist our youth in becoming computer literate. This program wouldn't be possible without the outstanding generosity from community groups, corporations and individuals in the Oakville community." "What's exciting to us is it's a proactive rather than reac tive program that takes positive steps and promotes skill development in youth and adults," explains Mary Ellen Frederick, of the Oakville Community Foundation. "It's very positive and exciting. This is exactly the type of pro ject we're looking to support in the community - programs that make a dif ference." Big Sisters is also extremely grateful for additional funding of $15,000 granted to the Resource Centre from the Ontario Lottery Corporation, to assist programs such as volunteer train ing, teen support groups and special events. Special thanks go to Andrea St. Onge, an Appleby College grad who spent her summer at the Big Sister office as a Career Placement Program summer intern funded by a Human Resources Development Canada grant. Her long history of service in the Oakville com munity throughout high school made her a perfect choice for the job. St. Onge's main responsibility was to set up the Computer/Intemet Training Centre/After School Program for Little Sisters. In particular, she researched and created an Internet/computer train ing manual that taught the basics from H A L F PR IC E T he- -- -- svg p fyi P a rlo u r in Waterdown (905) 689-7616 1 0 a m -5 pm Photo by Marilyn Markow Appleby College students (top) pose with, second row from left, May Court Club president Susan Sabine, the Community Foundation of Oakville's Mary Ellen Frederick, and Kristi Paladino of the Junior League and at front, Little Sisters Melissa and Lauren. how to turn on the computer to how to surf the Net. Over the summer at her request, Little Sisters came in to study it and give her some feedback. "It was an amazing placement," she reports. "I've enjoyed working with the Little Sisters the most. I liked teaching them and really looked forward to when they came in. They were mostly teenagers, but one five-year-old was just glued to the computer program called `My Personal Tutor' for two hours - she was in her own little world singing songs and learning the alphabet. This was such an amazing opportunity for me. To see everything come together was gratifying." Appleby College and Sheridan College students have been volunteering their time on site offering assistance to Little Sisters since September. If you would like to volunteer or support the Resource Centre with a financial donation call the Big Sisters office at 338-0238. Auction excitem ent loom s By Bill Roebuck 4 to /s JiW f W e i! give you $ 5 in Oakville Place G ift Certificates every time you spend $ 2 5 online at www.oakvilleplace.com*W e ll even gift w rap your purchase and deliver it to any Ontario destination free of charge. N ow that's worth smiling about! H <§>A K V ILLEPLACE.COM Gift certificates purchased online are excluded from this offer. "Now until December 22, 1999. All the goods and services have been donated through the generosity of supportive businesses. The result? Got your weekend planned yet? Well, here's a unique The money from your purchases goes to fund some and profitable suggestion! Pick up some favourite amazing projects, small and large, through the dedicated snacks and drinks, pull the phone over to your most charitable work of the Rotary clubs in your community. comfortable easy chair, and turn on the TV. No, not to Your support and participation in the Oakville Rotary watch reruns or mindless sitcoms. Tune into Cogeco23 Auction is important. Within a short time after it for the 12th Annual Oakville Rotary Auction. wraps up, the Oakville Rotary Clubs will be From 6 p.m. to midnight on both Friday and Saturday, putting the proceeds to work right in the community, you'll be presented with information on hundreds providing help and service where it's need of exciting products and services - a new ed. Here are only a batch every 10 minutes or so. And because few examples of support enabled by 5* previous Auctions - construction of it's an auction, your successful bid can Halton Women's Place; DARE drug mean you'll get fantastic savings. awareness education; a state-of-theThe Rotary Auction is a great way to art mammography unit for OTMH; shop for holiday gifts for relatives and bursaries for needy students; a friends - or for something just for O i K V I L L I f t O T A H Y Wheelchair repair; helping people yourself - right from the comfort of w n i S T i b b B r w m r w get a fresh start with their lives; home: A weekend getaway; golfing; A II f T I A Kl an<f many more much-needed a Jeep lease; games; toys; sporting * * W Vi I I w HI services. If you agree these things event tickets; paintings; computers and are important, we hope you'll show software; car repairs; financial and legal your support for the annual Oakville N ovem ber services; clothing; furnishings; camping Rotary Auction. Remember, it's this 19th, 2 0 th goods; restaurant dinners - more than you Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19 & 20, on can imagine. Check out the complete details in Cogeco23 and on the Internet at the huge Auction flyer in today's Oakville Beaver. www.oakvillerotary.org. Make it a family night, have some fun, get something Just tune into Cogeco23 and watch as the items are you've always wanted at a great price, and feel good displayed and described. When you're ready to bid, about helping those in your community who are less all it takes is a simple phone call or a click of your fortunate. Is there a better way to spend an evening? computer's mouse. You also can bid for different items on the Internet at www.oakvillerotary.org. Log on at your leisure - the Auction's web site has over 50 The members o f the Rotary Clubs o f Oakville-Trafalgar, exclusive items not available on TV - and it's running Oakville North and Oakville West have organized day and night, from Friday at 6 p.m. right up to 1:00 the 1999 Oakville Rotary Auction with the dedicated a.m. Sunday morning. support of Cogeco 23, The Oakville Beaver and That's not the only reason to participate, though! hundreds o f corporate sponsors and donors. Little Caesars'Pizza* GREAT TASTE! GREAT PRICE! GREAT PIZZA!TM < /m , YANKEE CANDLES Special! SAVE $ 13 Cuddly Plush Animals, assorted huggable styles, your choice SPECIAL, only $12.99 retail value $25.99,limited supplies 25% Off BIG PIZZA! the fragrance of the month SPECIAL PURCHASE! Exquisite Porcelain Musical Angel plays "Silent N ight" $19.99, retail value $34.99 SAVE on Christmas Partyware! All SANTA design napkins, cups, plates now $1.49, regular value $2.79 Great ^ Gifts, Great Prices 24 Thick Slices 1 and P e p p e ro n ij Special! SAVE $12 Mirrored Plaques, choose from assorted messages, special gifts fo r special people, ONLY $12.99, retail value $24.99 vn OAKVILLE 2441 Lakeshore Rd. W. (B ro nte Village Mall) ?9 E x p u 'V '· ^ ^ ^ ^ S p e c i a l O f f e r s v a lid a t t h i s lo c a t io n o n ly . Carlton ® cards OAKVILLE TOWN CENTRE II- beside McDonald's 827-7778 511 Maple Grove Rd. (Maple Grove Village) 802-1114 See o u r fly e r in to d a y 's O akville Beaver (selected areas only)