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16 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday June 18, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Living Oakville Beaver LIVING EDITOR: ANGELA BLACKBURN Phone: 905-845-3824, ext. 248 Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: angela@oakvillebeaver.com DANIEL HO / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER TEAM OAKVILLE PLAYERS: From left, Harry Barrett, Kip Edinborough Longstaff, Lynn Bedard, Don Pangman, Susan Curran, Sandra Onufryk, Ruth Sheridan (back, l-r), Jessica Metzler, Jessica Roman, Jenna Bergman and Katherine Brown (front, l-r) pose for a picture after being presented the Oakville Community Spirit Awards Honouring Outstanding Volunteers in the Town of Oakville. The awards were presented at the Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre. These folks have lots of Community Spirit By Hiba Kesebi SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER F or the last six years the Town of Oakville has recognized the community champions that have contributed to the town's life and spirit, at the annual Oakville Community Spirit Awards. This year was no exception. The tables at the Oakville Conference Centre were filled for the Oakville Community Spirit Awards ceremony. "I know how much it means to be recognized for the countless hours of work you (volunteers) dedicate to your cause," said Mayor Rob Burton. "That's what the Community Spirit Awards are all about." Created by silversmith Ross Morrow, this year's awards took on the shape of an oak leaf with an acorn. In a video played during the awards ceremony, Morrow said he wanted this design because an "acorn is something big coming from something small," and volunteerism works in the same way -- small initiatives contribute greatly to the town. "People don't volunteer to be recognized, but it is important," he said. The award categories this year included the following: Senior Award Ruth Sheridan earned the Senior Award. "When Terry Ponedel (Sheridan's friend, and nominator) said she nominated me, I said `look there's people who do more.' I just felt humbled and honored. There are a lot of people who do a lot of work," said Sheridan. In 1998, Sheridan dedicated her time as a peer-training counsellor at the Women's Information and Support Centre of Halton. There, she facilitated a support group for older women, helped with special events such as Midnight Madness, and was the Volunteer Angel of the Year in 2001. In 2004, she began volunteering at Sexual Assault and Intervention Services of Halton (SAVIS). "Her supportive and positive attitude gives hope and direction to the vulnerable women and children we serve. She has inspired all of us at SAVIS to give more of our time and ourselves," Chris Mei, the National Morning host at the Weather Network, and the emcee of the event. "I nominated her for her leadership qualities," said Ponedel. Group Volunteer Award Appleby College Students First Mentors program picked up the Group Volunteer Award. Accepting the award were four students from the program, and the program's founder, Kip Longstaff. "The First Mentors...exude uniqueness in their positive approaches and energetic attitudes towards the children and the program," Mei said. The program allows children who are waiting for their Big Brothers/Big Sisters to be introduced to a variety of See Notable 20 Halton Healthcare Services Corporation Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony Thursday, June 19, 2008 Oakville Conference Centre · 2515 Wyecroft Road, Oakville 6:00 p.m. Wine & Cheese Reception 7:00 p.m. Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony By-law changes will be recommended. Audited financial statements will be available at the meeting or by calling the Hospital Administration Office at 905-338-4616.