The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday August 2, 2008 - 11 Volunteers still needed Continued from page 10 "Abuse is not spoken about," Macdonald said. "I want to get the message that there is help out in the community and get people to start talking about it." Bird hopes the presentations will let abused seniors know they are not alone. Susan Caslick, a retired nurse, and now one of the four volunteers with the mentoring project, said, "People see it (abuse) happen, but are not aware it is wrong." The reason, according to Caslick, is lack of action. That is why she hopes to speak out loud for the women who have experienced this abuse. "It's a form of healing," she smiled. "Seniors will realize that they're not alone." Carlene McKenzie trained the mentors on conducting presentations with seniors. "I got them to look at what it means to be a women, what sexual violence is and how it is viewed by older women," recalls McKenzie. "It's important to look at how sexual assault affects the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical well-being." The project's training facilitator also emphasized the need for volunteers to show confidence, because in the end, they need to instill this confidence and hope to other seniors. After attending three afternoon training sessions, the four senior women have graduated from the program, received their certificates and are looking forward to their first presentation, which will be on Aug. 12 at 10 a.m. in the Lakeshore Place Retirement Residence, in Burlington. Macdonald is still recruiting volunteers. Another training session is scheduled on Aug. 18-20 from 1 to 4 p.m. If you are a senior who would like to help other seniors, contact Macdonald at 905-825-3622 or seniors@savisofhalton.org. SHOCKING STATISTICS: Based on provincial averages, as many as 5,500 seniors in Halton are at risk of abuse Save lives, DON'T DRINK & DRIVE! Have A Safe Ci vic Day Holiday! MADD Canada: This holiday weekend, drive safe and call 911 to report impaired driving National Release: July 30, 2008 -- Members of the national organization, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada), are hoping for a fatality-free holiday long weekend on Canadian roads and waterways. They are urging motorists to drive safe and sober and for all to report any incidents of suspected impaired driving to the police by calling 911. "We don't want any unnecessary crashes this holiday, and ask everyone not to drive a car, boat or ATV after they have consumed alcohol or taken drugs," says Margaret Miller, National President of MADD Canada. "Let's keep our roads and waterways free of impaired driving fatalities. We can do this by making our travel plans in advance for our socials and parties, family celebrations, and cottage runs." Mrs. Miller adds, "Everyone can make a difference when it comes to traffic safety by calling 911 when they see a suspected impaired driver. Report impaired driving to police and help get this menace off the road or water. If you make that call, you may just be saving a life." MADD Canada suggests five tips for Canadians to follow to ensure a safer holiday on the roads and waterways. 1. Plan ahead. Be sure you know how you are getting home. Arrange for your designated driver or for your ride. 2. Arrange for alternative transportation when drinking alcohol or taking drugs. You cannot plan for every social occasion, but you can always call a taxi or plan a lift if you partake at a gathering. 3. Avoid drinking and driving altogether when you will be driving on the roads, off-road trails or waterways. Impaired driving tragedies occur on your ATV, with your boating fun, as well as on roadways. Always be sure the driver of the vehicle is sober. 4. Talk your friends and family members from getting into a vehicle with an impaired driver. Be sure your loved ones are always safe from potentially dangerous impaired driving situations. 5. Be an example. Make a personal pledge to always drive sober. Be a good friend and always warn against impaired driving situations. Be a good host by providing alternatives to alcoholic drinks, ensuring your guests travel home safe, or offering a place to stay for those who have had too much. Mississauga Burlington Oakville Fax (416)798-7527 (905)681-4035 (905)844-9232 (905)845-1634 e-mail: info@spriggs.ca Local, Airport & Out of Town Service THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT SPRIGGS INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED 159 Church Street Oakville, Ontario L6J 1N1 HAVE A SAFE CIVIC DAY HOLIDAY A NEW LCBO 1527 Rebecca St. Oakville 905.827.5072 Monday-Saturday 10:00am-9:00pm Sunday 12Noon-5:00pm Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Broker Sales Representative 326 Lakeshore Rd. E., Oakville BRENDA CURLISS (905)845-4267 E-mail: brendacurliss@cogeco.ca www.royallepage.ca/BrendaCurliss Please Don't Drink & Drive www.bmgaragedoor.com bmgaragedoor@hotmail.com HAPPY CIVIC DAY from · Visit our Showroom of Garaga Doors · Service to all makes & models of garage doors and openers · Front entrance doors (905) · Custom Carriage house wood doors 3170 Ridgeway Dr., Unit 19/20, Mississauga 569-9133 The Oakville Beaver