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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1988, PAGE 27 Committee recommends $5,000 assistance for men'shostel Whitby's operations committee has pledged $5,000 to assist Hostel Services of Durham 'Region in the building of a housing facility for single men on Simcoe St. S. in Oshawa. Representatives of the service appeared before committee last Monday, requesting a donation of $15,000, the same anount donated by Oshawa council. But councillor Tom Edwards, Junior fire department program offered The Whitby fire department is now accepting applications for its 16th annual junior fire depart- ment program. The program brings 160 youth, age 11 and 12, together to learn about fire prevention and the job of a fireman. There are four, two-week classes, with 40 kids in each. Classes run from July 4-14 and July 18-28. There are morning and afternoon classes. "It doesn't take very long to fill the classes. We have already started receëiving applications," says co-ordinator Dave Bemis. Applications have also been sent to all schools in Whitby. The four students are brought in two weeks before classes start and taught the basic skills they will need to teach classes. Participants are taught home fire safety and fire prevention, firefighting skills, rescue skills and aspects of the fire hall. There is no cost for the course which is sponsored by the Town of Whitby. "This is unique for an il or 12-year-old," says Bemis. The only homework for stu- dents is to complete an inspection of their home and plan a fire route. "That is an effective way to get the parents involved as well," Cable box complaints Residents on Belton Crt. in the West Lynde subdivision are upset with Pine Ridge Cable and they' want the Town to do something about it. The residents appeared before the Town's operations committee Monday night complaining about boxes the cable company uses to provide service to homes in the area. They said the company prev- iously used boxes that were flush with the ground but now boxes are being installed that stand 100 cm. high. "Dogs and cats use them as urinals and tennagers just love to smash bottles on them," said one resident. They said the boxes ruin the street's esthetics. "Did they ask the Town if they can install those towers?" asked a resident. Administrator Bill Wallace said he would call the cable company on Tuesday morning to have the work stopped until a suitable arrangement can be reached with street residents. says Bemis. Also this year, the juniors will present a demonstration of what ·they learned on graduation day when they will receive a t-shirt, diploma and wallet card to indicate they have completed the course. During the two weeks, they will also have an opportunity to put out a fire, handle a fire hose and jump into a life net from a ladder. "And when they work with the equipment they will wear the same equipment as fliremen wear," says Bemis. Added to the program this year is a trip into Toronto to tour the fire boat belonging to the Toronto fire department. "We'll be busing them in and each class will go on their own," he says. According to Bemis the high- light of the two weeks for the kids is the water ball contest held at Peel Park. Similar to tug-of-war, kids using fire hoses aim at a water ball attached to a rope. "This is the only department in Canada that does this on such a wide scope. I think the way of the future is to teach fire prevention. That probably prevents more fires than a $1-million fire truck," says Bemis. Applications can be picked up at the department's 201 Brock St. S. station where all classes will be held. who moved the grant, said he recommended $5,000 because Whitby is about one-third the size of Oshawa. The service is attempting to raise $300,000 for the building of the $2- million building which will include 16 rent-geared- to-income apartments for males. Ed Goerz, executive director of the service, told committee that about 57 per cent of their clients are from the Oshawa and Whitby area while another 30 per cent are from other areas of the region. According to Goerz, in 1973 the average age of an individual who stayed with the hostel service was Organizers are hoping to attract as many as 50 teams from Durham Region to this year's Corporate Challenge at the end of May. The fifth annual challenge begins with a giant scavenger hunt May 25. On Saturday, May 28 there will be several events, including obstacle courses, mind games, a version of Balderdash and water-related events, all at Oshawa Civic Fields. "It's really a play day for adults," says Mieke Allan, a member of the promotion com- mittee. Her husband, Bob Allan, and Linda Martin co-chair the event. Last year 28 teams took part. 48. "That age currently is 28," said Goerz. Goerz told committee of one man who settled in Whitby after immigrating to Canada and obtained work on farms in the area. "As he became older there was less and less work for him and he became subject to bouts of drinking," said Goerz. "He died last year and if he had supportive housing he could have been supported." He also added that outpatients from Whitby Psychiatric Hospital use the services of the hostel. The committee's recommend- ation now goes to council for approval. Registration is $75 per team. Teams must include 10 people (two over 40 and four female) and one volunteer to help at the event - a total of 11. Only five of the team members have to be from the business taking part, the remainder either spouses or friends. For information or registration,. see Cindy Shugan in person at Lloyds Bank Canada in Whitby, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to *5 p.m.; or Linda Martin on Saturday, May 14, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Hall of Fame Room in the Oshawa Civic Auditorium. (It was incorrectly stated in last week's edition that Linda Martin was available on all Saturdays before the event). *.mI 50 teams wanted for corporate challenge