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14 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday June 30, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Young volunteer gets a lift from Oakville firefighters By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Kerr Street Ministries' (KSM) youngest volunteer arrived at school in style on Monday, riding aboard the mammoth hull of an Oakville fire engine. Eleven-year-old Clayton Trovato, the recently crowned Oakville Beaver Carrier of the Year, has distinguished himself again, only this time in the field of volunteer work. His reward, a chance to meet a group of real Oakville firefighters and a ride to school on an authentic Oakville Fire Department fire engine, Ladder 232 to be precise. "He's really excited," said Clayton's mother Diane, in the moments before the ride. "We're very happy for him." Given the fact that Clayton's amazing ride is an actual fire engine, Diane also noted she and Clayton's father Joe would be following in their mini-van to make sure everything went okay. "I'm worried they could get a call and might have to dump him out, so we have to be there," she said laughing at the thought. Fortunately the ride went off without a hitch with the massive fire engine rolling up outside the Trovato's Queen Mary Drive home shortly after 8 a.m. "Did we bring you a big enough truck," said Captain Timothy Draper to Clayton as he smiled and shook Clayton's hand. "We brought you the biggest truck in the fleet." The appearance of a fire engine on their street was enough to worry one neighbour, DAVID LEA / OAKVILLE BEAVER RIDING IN STYLE: Clayton Trovato sits in a fire engine alongside Oakville firefighter Andrew Stephenson as he waits for his ride to St. Matthew School. who called out to Diane to see if everything was okay only to be told that all the craziness was just the realization of every young boy's dream. This particular experience has been about three years in the making and started when Clayton began volunteering at Kerr Street Ministries at the age of eight. Born with special needs, Clayton's parents encouraged him to volunteer because they felt it was a good way of connecting him to his community. "It's all part of learning how to be responsible and learning how to make a contribution," said Joe. "This helps him recognize that as a person he does have responsibilities to his community and I think the real lesson here is that good deeds don't go unnoticed." Clayton's efforts working with the market store manager in the food bank, stocking shelves, unpacking groceries, picking up pizzas and participating in food drives certainly did not go unnoticed by Marrion Pengilley, Director of Adult Programs with the Kerr Street Ministries. "Clayton has been a wonderful volunteer for over three years at Kerr Street Ministries and when this came across my desk I just instantly thought of Clayton and thought this would be a great activity for him," she said. "We want to honour him for all the work that he does for Kerr Street." The certificate for the fire engine ride has taken a long road on its way to Clayton first being given by the Oakville Fire Department to the Light House Program for Grieving Children. From there it was purchased and then donated to Kerr Street Ministries and now, through Clayton's good deeds it has found its way to him. "I just think the world is full of kindnesses and we're just very appreciative we've been the recipients of so many of them," said Diane. "I always say the same thing, I'm very proud of him." Getting to ride a fire truck was not the only highlight of Clayton's day. As the engine pulled up at St. Matthew School, dozens of Clayton's fellow students applauded his arrival. Clayton, who had been rendered speechless by the excitement, said it all about the day's experience with a single word. "Cool." Thank you! The Oakville Waterfront Festival would like to thank everyone involved for helping us to make the 2007 Festival a success! presents the 28th Annual Oakville Italian GOLF TOURNAMENT BMO Bank of Montreal, CIBC, Ian Martin Limited, International Pool & Spa, Overdrive Design Ltd., Pepsi-QTG Canada, Pizza Pizza, Purdy's Chocolates, Sirius Satellite Radio, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Whole Foods Market, Abbozzo Gallery, About Signs, Bunzl Canada Inc., GSS Security Ltd., Fantasy Fruit Market, Gordon Food Services, Hartrell & Kirkham, Higgins Event Rentals, Holiday Inn Select, Masterlift, Oakville Place Mall, Revolution Music, Tandet NationaLease and is proud to support the Friday July 6th at Glen Abbey Golf Club