www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday November 22, 2008 - 5 Small but mighty Continued from page 3 currently swept up into the Salvation Army's traditional seasonal campaign. The Kettle Drive began last weekend and will continue through Christmas. A Toy Depot will be opening Monday (Nov. 24) to serve clients who qualify and need to shop for toys or stocking stuffers for their children in order to provide a Christmas for a child. A Christmas fellowship dinner will be hosted in conjunction with St. Paul's United Church on Sunday, Dec. 21. There is a tea and bazaar at the church this morning (Saturday, Nov. 22). On Dec. 6, Dan will take part in the annual Santa Shuffle -- a 5km run and 1km walk -- that is being held in conjunction with The Running Room and Canwest Global. It's a national event for the Salvation Army, but it hasn't been done in Oakville for some time, according to Dan. It sets off from The Running Room at 156 Lakeshore Rd. E. at 10 a.m. and costs $25 per person or $75 for a family of six. All registration fees will stay in Oakville and will go toward the Lighthouse. All pledges raised over and above registration fees will go to the Salvation Army's national Red Shield appeal, but national funds do get funneled back to Oakville's various programs, according to Wendy. "This is the first year in a long time that it's being done in Oakville," said Dan, who is a runner himself. The Broomes chose the Lighthouse as the beneficiary of Santa Shuffle funds. "There are homeless people in Oakville. It is a reality," said Wendy. The Broomes noted however that much of the homeless population in Oakville is such because of a lack of affordable housing rather than issues that surround the stereotypical idea of a transient, homeless derelict. Wendy said many homeless people in Oakville are forced out of their home through circumstances like job loss and find they have no place to go and no place they can afford. As such, they are also forced to move outside their home community. "I've heard people are sleeping under the Kerr Street bridge," said Dan, noting the homeless in Oakville are not typically pushing shopping carts or dressed in rags. That's where the Salvation Army and the Lighthouse steps in. It provides, through approval from Halton Region, temporary accommodation, the potential for transitional housing, food and support programs to help people get back on track. The local shelter is well maintained and clean and offers a total of 25 beds for men and women. Dan said there is no typical age of homeless people in Oakville, some are in their late teens and one was recently a senior woman. With everything that bears the Salvation Army shield in Oakville, from the church to myriad Christmas programs, under the purview of the Broomes (except the Thrift Store), Wendy admits the Oakville Salvation Army is a force to be reckoned with. "We are small, but mighty," said Wendy. For information about the Salvation Army, contact the church located at 1225 Rebecca St., 905-827-5324 or www.salvationarmyoakville.ca. Pamper Yourself Here With A Free Trial Stay There's no better way to experience our hotel-style services. Discover a community of adults who don't want to act retired. Call Jill Voytek for all the trial stay details. 905-469-3232 www.delmanor.com Or drop by 1459 Nottinghill Gate (just west of Dorval, south of Upper Middle) People's Choice Award Winner 3 Years in a Row... Thank You Oakville! at LEAGUES CHRISTMAS 3on3 ONE DAY TOURNAMENTS HOUSELEAGUE BOYS AND GIRLS Monday Dec 29 Tuesday Dec 30th Wednesday Dec 31st Friday Jan 2nd th REGISTER NOW! SPACES P ES LIMITED Novice & Tyke T Minor Atom & Atom Minor Bantam (to 12 noon) Minor PeeWee & Pee Wee min. 6 Players 1 Goalie per team · 24min Games · 4 Games Guaranteed Lunch, Drinks and Healthy Snacks Provided $45 per player Only $19900 January-March 2009 Oakville's only WINTER 3on3 League HOUSELEAGUE BOYS AND GIRLS 9 Games · Perfect size ice for 3on3 · Lots of Action · Non-Contact, 3 x 15min Periods · Teams will be made up of 9-10 players & 1 goalie T Novice · Tyke · Atom · PeeWee T To register contact Dick Decloe at T Tel: 905-842-2423ext.1005 -- ddecloe@ice2ice.ca MEN'S LEAGUE Call Today! (905) 827-1619 · JAN to MAY · Under 35 / over 35 Divisions · Fast Paced, High Tempo · Lots of Action / Non-Contact T To register contact Ryan Tune at T Tel: 905-842-2423ext.1001 -- rtune@ice2ice.ca www.ice2ice.ca tel: 905-842-2423