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10 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday July 15, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com PATCH award winners The Oakville & District Humane Society is pleased to announce The Patch Challenge Acts of Kindness Award Winners for the 20052006 school year -- Nicola, Emma, Andrew and Jonathan Peel, and Pine Grove Public School are recognized for demonstrating the true meaning of kindness in the community. Local businessman Frank Apa received Patch, a Shih Tzu, as a puppy. Patch's ability to connect with people quickly became apparent. He went to work at the Oakville Toyota dealership every day with Apa and became a true ambassador for the relationship that can develop between people and animals. As a company companion, mascot and corporate spokesdog Patch played an integral role in the owner's dealership. He had a positive impact on all of those that had the pleasure of meeting him. When Patch passed away in 2002 Apa honoured the memory of his dog with a donation to the Oakville and District Humane Society. As a tribute and to promote the importance of the human/animal bond The Patch Challenge was created as part of the society's education program. "We use Patch to teach children that People and Animals ­ Together Create Harmony," said Heather White, Community Education and Outreach Manager at the society. "The challenge annually asks schools to identify their collective acts of kindness and acknowledge children who have demonstrated special acts." Saving a dog's life earned the Peel family the honour of being this year's Patch Challenge Individual Acts winners. Last summer, the family was going through the McDonald's drive thru at the Dorval Town Centre Mall, when they noticed a dog in a parked car in the lot. The car windows were rolled up. Summer heat inside of a parked vehicle can reach more than 70 Celsius, in a matter of minutes, when the air temperature is 32 degrees outside. Fortunately, Nicola, Emma, Andrew and Jonathan asked their mom to wait for an owner to make sure that the dog was okay. When no one returned to the car the children insisted that they go store-to-store to search for an owner. Despite their efforts their search was unsuccessful. By this time the dog had begun to become faint and sleepy. After 45 minutes the Peel family called the police who responded, broke into the car and revived the dog. Even after the police rescue the children waited with the dog until the owner ELT Program Are you an Internationally-trained professional... Looking for work in an office environment... Available afternoons or Saturdays... And assessed at CLB 7 ­ 10? Then we have the program for you! We can assist you to enhance your English language skills in both Office Administration and Management skills at no cost. Frank Apa and the Peel family Call (905) 842-2486 ext. 21 to register. #48-635 Fourth Line, Oakville. Citizenship and Immigration Canada Citoyenneté et Immigration Canada returned. Had it not been for four concerned children the dog would not have survived. "Saving animal's lives is something we do every day at the society. To learn that these children were so proactive in their concern was heartwarming," noted Society Executive Director, Johanne Golder. Pine Grove Public School's year has been filled with kindness. Students have jumped rope raising money for the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation, and UNICEF (the largest contributions from an Ontario school); participated in the "Oakville Clean-Up" to make the community more attractive; raised money and awareness for Transitions For Youth - an organization that works with vulnerable youth to give them alternatives to a possible future of criminal activity; raised funds for Oakville Food Bank; and held a banquet for seniors at the Oakville Senior Centre. In addition, over the past 10 years the Grade 1 classes have sold cinnamon hearts during the month of February, and have donated several thousand dollars in proceeds to the Oakville & District Humane Society. Teachers interested in bringing The Patch Challenge education program into the classroom next September should contact Heather White at the Society at 905-845-1551. To learn more about The Patch Challenge and how you can begin submitting known acts of kindness, visit the Humane Society's website at www.oakvillehumane.ca. SUMMER SCHOOL GRADES 1-12 July and August Individualized Tutorials in Language Ar ts, Mathematics & Organizational and Study Skills. Credits for grades 9 - 12 Call for details! CHISHOLM 1484 Cornwall Road (905) 844-3240