The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

10 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, May 12, 2011 Van-tastic idea The Real Canadian Superstore recently hosted a food drive to aid local food banks where the goal was to fill a Halton Police SUV. The store offered pre-made $5 food bags with pre-selected items to donate. Helping to fill the van were, from left, store manager Jeffery Chisholm, Halton Police Community Support Officer Maureen Andrew, Lisa Wells of Georgetown and store manager Aaron Kornacki. Photo by Calvin Dyke Gerrie honoured for volunteer efforts By LISA TALLYN Staff Writer A Limehouse woman was recognized recently for the many volunteer hours she puts into her community. Karen Gerrie was one of several Halton residents honoured with a Community Volunteer Award at a breakfast held in Oakville recently. The event was hosted by Volunteer Halton, an organization that celebrates volunteerism in the region. Four Community Volunteer Awards were handed out in total-- Gerrie was the only recipient from Halton Hills-- along with 12 other Cheers to Volunteers awards-- three of those to Halton Hills residents. Those three recipients were Pauline Dunford who volunteers at Georgetown Hospital, and Links2Care volunteers Rena Arbic and Real Tetreault. Gerrie has put in more than 3,000 volunteer hours in the 12 years she's volunteered with Halton Police. She volunteers as both a responder with the Halton Police Victim Services Unit and the Communities on Phone Patrol (COPP) program. Halton Regional Police Const. Maureen Andrew said as a volunteer with KAREN the Victim GERRIE Services Unit Gerrie brings "comfort, consolation and appropriate resource information to grieving families of victims of sudden death, fatal motor vehicle collisions, suicides, sexual assaults and domestic violence to name a few." As a volunteer with COPP, Andrew said Gerrie and other volunteers in the program are the "eyes and ears in the community, including community traffic surveys in high traffic areas or patrolling for and reporting on suspicious activities in the community. "Karen believes herself to be honoured and privileged to put aside her own needs, for the greater needs of the community," said Andrew. "The support, compassion, loyalty, comfort and guidance she provides to people in distress is immeasurable." She said Halton Police Service is deeply indebted to Gerrie's commitment as are the many community members whose lives she touches and comforts on a regular basis. "To some, Karen becomes a surrogate family member, to others she becomes an unconditional friend in a highly fraught or emotionallycharged situation," said Andrew. She said Gerrie allows the police service to support families of victims in a non-judgmental and non-confrontational manner, "showing that we do care about the fundamental well being of victims in addition to the necessities of the police investigation, and to solidify our commitment to community partnerships." Gerrie is appreciative of the award and said she was "really shocked" when she found out she would be a recipient. 905.873.8729 71 Mountainview Rd. N. Georgetown, ON Stag and Doe IS HAVING A BOTTLE DRIVE Saturday, May 14th from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Drop Off: · Georgetown Little Theatre Productions Studio, 33 Stewarttown Road · Outside the Beer Store at Market Place Mall · The Old General Store in Limehouse Please donate your wine, beer, cooler bottles to this fund raising event. Julia Fountain · Naturopathic Doctor Amelia Fratnik · Chiropractor Carol Fantin · Reg. Massage Therapist Studio Events May 2011 COOKING CLASSES with Chef Jenny Amazing Grains: Quinoa, Millet and others Mon, May 16th, 7:30 pm Cooking for Weight Loss: Sun, May 29th, 2 pm MEDITATION CLASSES with Chantal Garneau Meditation for Focus and Stability: Sun, May 15th, 1 pm Guided Meditation: 3 Wednesday evenings in May 7:30 pm For more info on services & on-line registration please visit: Derek Nolan & Caitlin Dick Saturday, May 14th, 2011 Acton Legion Doors open 8 p.m. Tickets $10 at the door Games, Prizes, Music, Food and Drinks! www.healthspan.ca Inquiries: 905-877-3422