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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday July 13, 2007 - 15 SUMMER CLEARANCE SALE CONTINUES NOW $ 99 NOW 99 $ 249.95 REG. 59 Yazz 99 129.99 REG. WOMENS PASSIONATE: John Campbell, Nicaraguan mission co-ordinator for Oakridge Bible Chapel with the team members of a Nicaraguan village who walked 19 km to pick up donated uniforms. Nicaraguan team walks 19 km for uniforms By Andrew Fruch SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER WOMENS Urstan sale starts june 1 3th. ends july 19th. selection may vary by store. W W W. F R E E D M A N S H O E S . C O M When the Halton Athletic Centre (HAC) Baseball Team disbanded more than two years ago, no one could have imagined the leftover team uniforms would go on to make an impact on the lives of people in a different part of the world. But that is exactly what happened when HAC equipment manager Ian Roberts donated the uniforms to Oakridge Bible Chapel as they were preparing to undertake a mission in Nicaragua. "After we disbanded the team, we sold some of the equipment to pay debts, but after that we still had all these uniforms," said Roberts. Through a friend, Roberts was put in touch with John Campbell, Nicaraguan mission co-ordinator for Oakridge Bible Chapel. Campbell and a group of church members were headed to Nicaragua for a week in February, where they planned to help out at mission centre. "When Ian called me about the fact that they had these uniforms available, I said, `yeah we'll take them.' I didn't even check with Nicaragua because I knew there would be somebody down there that could use them. When we arrived in Nicaragua, we took clothes, supplies, the stuff we were going to use on the project, and we had this hockey bag full of these uniforms." Upon their arrival in Nicaragua, Campbell and the other volunteers were told by the centre's directors, that only a few weeks prior to the group's arrival, a local baseball team from a nearby village had approached them to see if it would be possible to help "To see them used by a group of kids who are willing to walk for 19 kilometres out of love of the game, it's the big time." Ian Roberts them acquire uniforms. Arrangements were made for someone from the team to visit the centre and pick up the donated uniforms. But unexpected to the volunteers, almost the entire team showed up, walking 19 kilometres from their village to the centre. "What had happened was none of them had cars, so they had walked the 19 kilometres to the centre," said Campbell. "But they came and they were just overwhelmed, the quality of them and the fact that they were all the same and they just couldn't thank them enough for it. We've given uniforms before, but this team was so grateful for what happened. So for something that would have normally gone as used clothing here, to actually end up in the purpose it was intended was just quite thrilling for the whole group, and we're very grateful to Ian for having put the extra effort into finding a real home for it." After seeing the uniforms collect dust for a few years, Roberts was pleased to see them back on the field and being used by a team with a commitment to the game. "To see them used by a group of kids who are willing to walk for 19 kilometres out of love of the game, it's the big time," said Roberts. "We had a motto at the Halton Athletic Club about having a pas- sion for the game. These kids showed they had the passion. We are very thankful that it all happened, and that the uniforms went to great use." Along with the uniforms that were sent to Nicaragua, Roberts had also donated the leftover team winter jackets to the Yorkminster Park Baptist Church in Toronto so they could be distributed to the homeless during the church's `Out of the Cold' program. Along with bringing supplies to the Nicaraguan mission, the group from Oakridge Bible Chapel, took part in the construction of a two-storey warehouse that was desperately needed so the centre could keep up with the demand of feeding 10,000 children a day. In the area where the mission is located, the unemployment rate stands at around 65 per cent, and many families are unable to provide for their children. To address these issues, the volunteers at the mission also planted 600 plantain trees, which will hopefully help provide food for the community. A bicycle repair shop was also established, with local people being trained in the process of repairing bicycles. With all that was accomplished during the week, more can always be done, and Campbell hopes those involved came away ready to keep up the work, and stay involved in future missions. "They get to meet and actually know some of those local people, and it changes their concept of world missions," said Campbell. "It develops a real sense of responsibility that we have towards people who have basically nothing." NOW OPEN O A K V I L L E P L A C E 240 Leighland Ave. Telephone: 905-842-3418 Factory Specials SAVE UP TO 70% OFF Take advantage of this one time opportunity to save on solid wood bedroom and dining room, custom upholstery & leather. SOFA & LOVESEAT CUSTOM SOFA SALE $ 2799 $ Great selection of styles and fabric choice 1799 UNBEATABLE VALUE $ MATCHING PIECES AVAILABLE 1899 $ 899 100% Solid wood Canadian made King size bed SPECIAL PURCHASE WHILE THEY LAST! $ 1299 Pair $ Genuine all leather chairs 699 Since 1977 Heritage Furniture 4205 Fairview St. Burlington · 905-634-5298