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6 stmsuntribunemfhdk007 t j suntnbune i 6290 main a stoufmlle0nl4alg7 wwwyorkregioncom publisher ian proudfoot editor in chief debora kelly business manager robert lazurko director interactive media technology johnfuthey director advertising york region printing distribution general manager barryblack bobdean director circulation systems lynn pashko letters to the editor store owners dont bite there is a myth small quaint stores are expensive people think you cannot get a bargain and bigbox stores are the only place to shop these days buy local does not just mean buy local produce buy local and support your home town neighbours everyone just loves the downtown and the stores they see as they pass by it is one of the things that spark our interest in moving to this town they look so nice and make whitchurchstouffville unique but if residents of this town do not recognize these vendors then the downtown will be a ghost town i shop locally and have been in several of the downtown establishments you know what i find great customer service unique gifts and competitive prices from wonderful help ful people people who have a passion for this town and support local sports and fundraising initiatives for the people in this community there are complaints of parking but i know many of you do not have trouble find ing parking to go to your bank or stop for a bite to eat for breakfast i know for a fact a lot of residents do make the effort to go to the stores on hal loween and easter to fill their kids baskets with goodies and yet never give back to the precious storekeepers who create a unique experience for the kids this holiday season take the time to get to know the small group of retail business owners in our downtown and give back to them what they give to every one of us experience the customer service of yes teryear where they know their products and can gift wrap and prepare gifts for the special someone in your heart dont be afraid they dont bite and if anything they will give yoju the most for your dollar laurie vanzeeland stouffville volunteers make agency work we at big brothers big sisters of york want to express our gratitude to the com munity for its support throughput the year the children and families we serve join us to thank the volunteers who give of their time making a difference in a child s life the impact made by these volunteers is overwhelming children in our program experience real positive change not to be forgotten are the many par ticipants sponsors and volunteers of our various fundraising events as well as our donors neilhaggarty big brothers big sisters of york local woman quietly gives time to whitchurchrstouffvihe has long been known for dedicated volun teers in all areas of activity volunteerism is the heart and soul of success most appreciate who these people are we can attach names to the faces of those who carry the load many are repeat providers but are we aware of those jound us who give their time and talents beyond our borders i doubt it for they go about their work beyond the spotlight of media attention out of sight out of mind so to speak one such person is stouflvilles carol brodie mother of four and grandmother of eight carol boards a go train out of stouffville every thursday morning for six years and travels to toronto later she returns via the same service or on occasions is picked up by husband doug a semiretired family physician between times she assists in the play park at the hospital for sick children but why sick kids carol came to appreciate what the hospital has to offer when a grandson then aged two was diagnosed with epilepsy the lad was admitted for surgery a procedure that according to carol gave us new hope the patient now 17 leads a normal life they the hospital did so much for us carol said i wanted to give something back the play park carol explains is a partnership between the hospitals womens auxiliary and the canadian tire foundation for families as well as volunteer hours the auxiliary provides funding for trained staff and daytoday requirements meanwhile the foundation donated 1 million last year jim thomas roaming around the hospital for sick children opened in 1951 and the auxiliary was founded soon after by dr helen chute she died in 2004 at age 93 carols time in the play park extends from 9 am to 2 pm in attendance are two fulltime staff members telma demelo and lina sannuto they hold degrees in early childhood education the play parks goal is to provide a safe cheerful relaxed and educational environment for siblings of inpatients and outpatients awaiting clinic appointments service co ordinator gwen moravek said i was looking for a hands- on thing carol said and this is what the play park provides its marvelous children come from all over the world she said some are temporary residents along with their parents at nearby ronald mcdonald house in addition to crafts carol sings and reads to them despite the diversity of backgrounds no language barriers exist she noted we do everything we can to keep them happy she said ages range from two to 13 no fee is charged the play park is wellrun affording parents the peace of mind that their children are safe and secure carol said many mothers and fathers leave notes expressing thanks telma demelo the play parks supervisor is loud in her praise of carols contributions i dont know what wed do without carol she said shes a grandmother to the children c count it a privilege and an honour to be involved telma described carol as a very warm person not only to the boys and girls but to their parents in a single year more than 8000 children are accommodated carol has no thought of giving up her trips to sick kids even though some days she returns home exhausted i count it a privilege and an honour to be involved she said jim thomas is a stoufmlle resident who has written for area newspapers for more than 50 years letters policy the suntribune welcomes your letters all submissions must be less than 400 words and must includca daytime telephone number name and address the suntribunercscrves the right to publish or not publish and to edit for clar ity and space letters to the editor the suntribune 6290 main st stoufmlle on l4aig7 jmasonyrmgcom editorial editor jim mason jniasonyrmgcom interacnve media marketing advertising manager dauma andrews dandmvsyrmgcom advertising retail manager staceyallen sallenyrmgcom classified manager ann campbell acampbellyrmgcom assistant classified manager bonnie rondeau brondeauyrmgcom production team leader sherry day sdayyrmgcom fdsflv canain occab editorial 9056402612 fax9056408778 advertising 9056402612 citified 18007433353 fax9056408778 distribution 9056402612 suntnbune a york region media group community newspaper the suntribune published every thursday and saturday is a division of the metroland media group lid a whollyowned subsidiary of torstar corporation metroland is comprised of 100 community publications across ontario the york region newspaper group includes the liberal serving richmond hill and thomhill vaughan citizen the erabanner newmarketaurora markham economist sun georgina advocate york region business times north of the city yorkregioncom and york region printing