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8- The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday December 6, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com UWO pushes to goal By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF KAREN NEWMAN / OAKVILLE BEAVER HELPING THE PUSH: Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn (centre) joins Oakville MP Terence Young (right) and Jill Yousie, board chair of the United Way of Oakville at the UWO's Kerr Street campaign thermometer taking up the challenge of helping the UWO push to goal. Its 2008 campaign will wrap up with a community breakfast on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Trailhead Grade 10 BCP Grade 11-12 Bronte Creek Project 5 4 20 1 months classrooms without borders credits new friends awesome experience Halton's Environmental Leadership Program Gary Allan High School DROP IN! Trailhead & BCP Information Find Out More! 401 Derry Rd. BCP/Trailhead Open House OPEN HOUSE Wed. Feb. 18th, 2009 6:30 to 8:30 pm 5100 Appleby Line 905-331-3500 Hwy 5 (Dundas) www.brontecreekproject.org experience education QEW As the United Way of Oakville (UWO) prepares to celebrate the conclusion of its 2008 campaign on Tuesday, Dec. 9, it is urging all residents and businesses to help it "push to goal." The UWO will announce its campaign achievement at a breakfast to be held at 7:30 a.m. at the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793 at 2245 Speers Rd. "We are driving to goal and with the economic uncertainty, we need donations more than ever," said 2008 campaign cabinet chair Ann Mulvale. Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn and Oakville MP Terence Young joined forces Friday helping the UWO push to goal. The 2008 campaign hopes to raise $3.4 million. The UWO assists approximately 30,000 residents. It funds programs and services accessed by thousands of people through 30 human and social service agencies focusing on four key service areas: strengthening families, supporting independence and wellbeing in seniors, promoting self-sufficiency, and supporting those in crisis. The services it provides are needed more than ever as economic uncertainty becomes a threat, and a reality, to local residents. Though some have received pink slips and others have watched savings dive as the stock market plunges, Mulvale urges those who can, to give -- and not to think "poor" as they do so. As people worry about their own financial situation, it brings the plight of those who the UWO assists, a little closer to home. And home is where it's at for the UWO, which raises funds to assist people in Oakville -- neighbours, friends, relatives or even yourself. A gift to the UWO pays a dividend, said Mulvale, noting the agencies funded by the UWO strive to keep the community a thriving, healthy community by helping those in need. "It is hard to stay generous when the market value of investments may have tumbled 30, 40 or even 50 per cent, yet without the continual and expanded support of Oakville residents, there really is no `way' to address the growing needs of Oakville people as more pink slips and an increasing lack of confidence unfurls," said Mulvale. She thanked Flynn and Young for their support in helping the UWO drive to goal. "They may be from different political parties, but they are united for one cause, the United Way of Oakville," she said. To make a donation, visit www.uwoakville.org or call 905-8455571. Appleby Ln.