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34 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday November 30, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Making sense of holiday giving `Tis the season of giving and every year at this time, we are bombarded with fundraising campaigns. There are food drives, clothing collections, cash kettles, surrogate Santas and an endless list of other holiday appeals. With so many options, it is hard to know where to direct donations. United Way of Oakville (UWO) provides a means to invest charitable dollars and to pool those dollars with others to increase the impact of all donations to the community during the holiday season and all year round. In fact, UWO is more than just funds and financing, UWO works with the community to maximize volunteer, financial and agency resources to respond to the needs that exist and that are emerging right here in Oakville. Here's how it works. Donations to UWO go into a community impact fund. From this fund, UWO supports the vital work of 31 health and social service agencies that strengthen families, support independence and wellbeing in seniors, support those in crisis and promote self-sufficiency in individuals in Oakville. To ensure that every donation is effectively invested in the community, UWO carries out a full evaluation of every agency that requests funding. During this process, panels of local volunteers make decisions about where donations should be allocated based on a careful review that can include interviews and agency visits. This ensures agency accountability all year long. A gift to United Way of Oakville is a wise investment in your community. Giving to UWO, you can be assured that your charitable investment is directed to the agencies that address the greatest need, that are well managed and that are accountable. This holiday season, give to United Way. -- Submitted by the Oakville United Way. gateway to your winter destination Richmond, BC In Richmond, BC we welcome all visitors. Whether you visit before heading off to a sun destination or after a Whistler ski vacation, make Richmond, BC part of your next holiday destination. Experience award-winning spas and restaurants, museums and cultural facilities or try your luck at the newest gambling destination. Explore the Historic Fishing Village of Steveston or indulge in the Golden Village; an Asian mecca of ethnic markets, shops, people and authentic cuisine. Home to the Vancouver International Airport and over two dozen brand-name hotels, we are ideally located next door to Vancouver and offer excellent value. Stay overnight, enjoy shopping by day and choose from numerous events in the evening. Contact us today for bookings and information including the Spectacle of Lights Christmas event. richmond, gateway to british columbia® Places to stay and play in Richmond, BC: 1 888 831 3388 Ask for our Tourism Special Rate! Free parking, high speed internet access, airport & casino shuttle. 1 888 383 8393 Clean, comfortable rooms close to shopping, restaurants, airport. Free breakfast & access to wireless highspeed internet. Limited airport shuttle service. 1 877 273 8080 Ask for our Tourism Special Rate! Free continental breakfast, gated parking, local calls, high speed internet, airport & casino shuttle. holidayinnvancouver airport.com $82 - 99 CAD* ramada.ca holidayinnexpressvancouver airport.com info@tourismrichmond.com www.tourismrichmond.com 1 877 247 0777 *Rates based on availability, day of the week and are subject to change and applicable taxes. May have restrictions. Photo / A shopping experience.