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

6 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, December 16, 2010 OPINION Give a gift There is little doubt that Halton Hills is a very giving and caring community. Whether it is a kind pay-it-forward incident at coffee shop drive-thru, a senior being helped across an icy sidewalk or offers of help to a theft victim, we are treated weekly to anecdotes of people helping others. While those acts tend to be magnified more at this time of year, it's important to remember the majority of Halton Hills residents are quick to lend a hand 365 days a year. However, with the holiday season now upon us, the need to help those less fortunate is even more prominent. An empty refrigerator or lack of funds seems to sting just a little bit more with Christmas just around the corner. While we are blessed to have so many kind folks living here, we are also lucky to have many charitable organizations and agencies-- many staffed by volunteers-- ready to help out in a variety of ways. We'd like to take a moment to commend those groups and their members for the work they do year-round and to remind residents it is never too late to give. Be it a donation to a Salvation Army kettle, a contribution to the United Way of Halton Hills (which funds 19 local agencies), a donation to a local food bank or an offer to give blood or be a Big Brother/Sister-- there are several ways for you to give a special Christmas "gift". And in the process you will be making your town an even better place to call home. 905-873-0301 Publisher: Ken Nugent General manager: Steve Foreman (sforeman@independentfreepress.com) Retail advertising manager: Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@independentfreepress.com) Managing editor: John McGhie (jmcghie@independentfreepress.com) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@independentfreepress.com) Classifieds Kristie Pells (classified@independentfreepress.com) Accounting Rose Marie Gauthier Editorial Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@independentfreepress.com) Ted Brown: Photography (tbrown@independentfreepress.com) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@independentfreepress.com) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@independentfreepress.com) WEB POLL RESULTS So far Halton Region has managed to dodge any major snowstorms but our luck may run out soon. How do you feel when it comes to winter weather? · The more snow the better (27%) · A light dusting at Christmas is enough (37%) Steve Nease · If it was 20C all winter it would be ideal (36%) Go to www.independentfreepress.com Letters to the editor Woman's good deed shows holiday spirit son and viewed by many people. The homes were all beautiful and unique. Thanks to the homeowners for warmly opening up their homes for so many people to enjoy. The decorators and florists (some being the homeowners themselves) did an exquisite job to bring the festive season into these houses. The tickets for the event included a luncheon at St. John's United Church. While at the hall, people could do some Christmas shopping from the local vendors on site, selling a variety of items. Thank you to everyone who helped, especially the committee members and all the volunteers who gave up their valuable time to make the house tour such a success. This year we sold out of tickets for the event. Please remember to buy your tickets early next year so you don't miss out. This house tour event brings us $10,000 closer to reaching our 2010 campaign goal of $325,000. It's not too late to donate if you would like to help. Contact the United Way of Halton Hills office at 905-877-3066 to make your 2010 donation. Janet Foster, Executive Director, United Way of Halton Hills `Santa Calls' thanks Dear editor, The Town of Halton Hills Recreation and Parks Department extends a very special thank you to everyone who contributed to the annual "Santa Calls" program. A big heart-felt thank you to Rick Chambers from the Optimist Club of Georgetown who assisted in recruiting more than 17 volunteers. Their efforts are inspirational and have made a lasting impression on many children. In this busy world, it's wonderful to have people who will take the time to share with others. To the school principals, Kindergarten teachers, and parents-- thank you for participating in our 2010 program and helping to make it such an incredible success. A final thanks goes to McGibbon Hotel, Subway and Topper's Pizza for providing the fuel for Santa to call on so many children. With everyone's contributions and hard work Santa spoke to more than 800 Kindergarten children and their families to wish each and everyone a very Merry Christmas. Frank Prospero, Recreation Supervisor- Community Development, Town of Halton Hills Dear editor, I am writing to say thank you to the woman who so generously came to my rescue on Nov. 30. She offered to pay for my gas purchase at Petro Canada when the debit and ATM machines were down. She did not leave her name or contact information for me to return the cash and called it her "good deed". This goes to show that I live in a community that not only extends Christmas cheer during the holiday season but 365 days of the year. Letters to the editor policy Merry Christmas to this lady who brought the true meaning of Letters must include an address and daytime Christmas to me. telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be Jasmine Todd, published. Letters should not exceed 150 words Georgetown and may be edited for content and/or length. Publication is not guaranteed. E-mail: jmcghie@independentfreepress.com Dear editor, Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 The 2010 Holiday House Tour, Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. hosted by the United Way of Halton The Independent & Free Press Hills, was again a grand success. Six fabulous homes, all in the The Independent & Free Press is published Tuesday and Thursday and is one of several Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. Edi- downtown Georgetown area, were torial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected decorated for the Christmas seaby copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. House tour a hit