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20 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday June 7, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Helping other people just feels good By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF It all began when Oakville resident Chris Giles drove south on Dorval -- and decided to take the route of M.A.D.ness. Tonight, Giles will host a M.A.D. (Make a Difference) party at his Beechgrove Crescent home -- at his expense -- in order to do something for someone else. For Giles, a married father of two, it isn't really just about fundraising -- but inspiring people to help others. "It's like a wonderful, warm blankie, it feels good," said Giles. Though even Giles admits it smacks of an Oprah-like aura, he is hoping his effort will not only mark some turning points in life for himself, but for others, too. At 42 and living what he dubs a great life, Giles came to Oakville at age three when his family moved here. He attended the former St. Ann and Georges Vanier schools and then a high school in Burlington when the only Catholic high school was in Burlington. "My parents have worked and lived in Oakville for the last 39 years, as have many of my immediate and extended family. I own a business in Oakville and consider myself a very proud Oakville resident," said Giles who, along with his wife Lisa and sons, Connor, 12 and Dylan, 9, will be hosting this weekend's party. "This is an invitation-only party and we are packed to the rafters, but I plan to create an annual event because of the response and want to make it bigger next PHOTO COURTESY SHERI VISAKALY PHOTOGRAPHY DOING HIS PART: Oakville resident Chris Giles is hosting a M.A.D. (Make A Difference) party at his home in hopes guests will pay it forward. year with a hall," said Giles. Not long ago, Giles sold his former business partner, Doug Van Frassen, his share of their Mississauga-based business. Giles then took several months off to savour life -- before starting his own new business venture here in Oakville. "Life is busy and you get consumed by yourself, I find. You're too busy, too this, too that," said Giles, who said the time off created freedom in his life and of mind. "We all have the ability to try to make the world a better place," he said. After taking time to smell the roses, Giles knew he wanted to continue his support of the fundraising his former company had done in support of Van Frassen's daughter, Rebecca. At eight years old, Rebecca is a daughter, granddaughter, best friend, swimmer, an A student in Grade 3 -- and lucky to have survived to her young age as she has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The genetic affliction sees most of HEALTH & WELLNESS VILLAGE Enjoy the Garnier Health & Wellness Village and succumb to a massage, partake in some yoga, sample new foods, learn about new healthy choice products & services. Be empowered to improve your health & lifestyle. Enjoy it at the Waterfront Festival June 20, 21, 22 ~ Coronation Park www.oakvillefestival.com those born with it die before the age of two. The condition will progressively reduce Rebecca's ability to move. Rebecca's parents, when their daughter was diagnosed at 20 months of age, were told to take her home and love her, according to her mom Theresa Van Frassen. "This disease is killing little babies," said Giles explaining that he is working with 20year Oakville resident Cheryl Vallender on this year's fundraising Rebecca Run to be held July 5 in Newmarket. Two years ago July 16, Vallender had a baby boy, Max, who was diagnosed with SMA and died Aug. 31, 2006. Last year, Vallender's family, and friends participated in the Rebecca Run for SMA and their team, Miles for Max, raised $20,000 towards finding a cure to the disease. This year, Max is the honouree for the Rebecca Run -- his story is on the website www.rebeccarun.com. Not only does Giles want to continue his support of the annual Rebecca Run and Angel Gala (http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=jGxAbS7bxt0 or www.rebeccarun.com), but also bring it awareness -- by attaching it to a unique concept as well as fundraising. "This party is more than just the evening," said Giles. "This is all good. It allows everyone the opportunity to Make a Difference in other people's lives," said Giles. "I want to have everyone try to Make a Difference and then pay it forward. The goal is to have people outside of our influence feel the impact that we have on the world and then have them do something special for someone else. We need to have the pay it forward concept work with Make A Difference in order for it to be successful," said Giles. Though he is underwriting the cost of the upcoming party -- he has specialty bars, food, even wait staff and cleaners hired for the event, he's even providing the live music as he has recently taken up the gui- tar -- he's asking people attending to donate to Rebecca's cause. He's asking something else, too, though. He's asking everyone involved to think about helping someone else -- paying it forward, as he calls it. Already Giles has found that the concept works. Expecting to underwrite the cost of the party himself -- and not asking for any handouts -- he found that a friend donated cases of beer from Molson's. Diamond Wines and Spirits, when approached about direct buying, donated some whiskey. When Monastery Bakery was called with a food order for the party, the bakery said it would provide the food. Giles has one stipulation. "Please make sure we do not have any drinking and driving as we are trying to save children's lives with this party and that would fly in the face of our efforts," he told guests. With everyone attending roughly aged 35 to 55, Giles is asking guests to take a cab, arrange transportation with their kids, or stay over. For Giles, the pay-it-forward concept was brought home when, one night while out with friends, he said he became aware of a young couple who was facing arrest for not paying a bill and cab fare. Giles said he intervened and settled the account -- not only paying the bill, but staving off an arrest -- and hoping it would make a difference to them. More recently, Giles said he picked up a man who had run out of gas, drove him to a gas station and returned him to his vehicle -- his fee, simply asking the people to consider doing something similar for someone else. If even half of the 120 to 140 people who attend Giles' party do a good deed, Giles estimates at least 200 good deeds will be done, the party will be fun and it will benefit Rebecca and other children like her. Look for these and more great flyers online. More of what you LOVE, all your favourite flyers anytime online! Save time, save money.