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48 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday December 26, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Stephen Lewis Foundation supports grassroots help H ello from Halla and Happy Holidays. In Africa and in Canada this December, many humans from many cultures are celebrating very special days, while our elephant herd simply continues our daily search for food and safe trekking on the savannah. Yesterday we found acacia leaves -- my favorite -- and I was very thankful for my grandmother, who knew where to find the acacia trees. We had a feast to ring in the New Year. That got me to thinking about celebrations and how thankful we can all be for the Stephen Take your first steps to becoming a better dancer! ! Lewis Foundation's Turning the Tide Campaign to fight AIDS in 15 African countries. SLF supports communitybased organizations like the Girl Child Network (GCN) in Zimbabwe created by Betty Makoni in 1998. In just 10 years, GCN has enabled more than 60,000 youngsters to belong to Girls' Empowerment Clubs across the country. Girls find shelter from abuse, access to education, training for self-sufficiency, and encouragement from supporters who advocate for profound social and Zimbabwe. SLF also supports the attitudinal changes in Sophiatown Community Psychological Services where Valerie and Grace, two `barefoot counsellors', walk door to door and shelter to shelter in the Sophiatown slum near Johannesburg, South Africa, listening to people, identifying problems, and building trust and friendship. Sophiatown counsellors work with refugees from war zones, helping develop `strategies of resilience'. Swaziland Positive Living (SWAPOL), is another incredible organization they support. People like Thulisile Dladia, who cares for six of her own children and five children orphaned by AIDS from her extended family, work for a Neighbourhood Care Point established by SWAPOL. A Neighbourhood Care Point HOLIDAY SPECIAL HOLIDAY SPECIAL $$ · more fun! · self con dence! · meet people! · grace & poise! 25 25 $ OAKVILLE 225 Lakeshore Rd (2nd Floor) 905-815-3237 HAMILTON 1092 Main Street W www.fredastaire.ca · GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE · GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE 905-522-3237 Dec. 26&27 9am-9pm Hurry For Best Selection SALE 499 $ SALE 599 2SHQLQJ 'HFHPEHU ZHDWKHU SHUPLWWLQJ FKHFN RXU ZHE VLWH IRU FXUUHQW FRQGLWLRQV DQG RSHUDWLQJ VFKHGXOH Canada's Biggest & Best Selection of Leather and Shearling Coats Dec. 26,27 9am - 9pm I Dec. 28,29,30 10am - 6pm I Dec.31 10am - 5pm Acton 49 Eastern Av 519 853 1031 Ac ton 49 Eastern Av. 70 UP TO $ SALE % off $ 299 $ SALE 199 SALE 299 $ SALE 129 Toronto 522 King St. W 416 203 7001 519-853-1031 www.hidehouse.ca It s Worth The Drive To Acton PETITE FASHIONS BOXING DAY Blood donor SALE clinic Dec. 31 is a village house where women gather to tend large community gardens, cook two homegrown meals a day for local AIDS orphans, and sew school uniforms to generate income for the project. In desperately poor Swaziland, the AIDS pandemic has swept up a quarter of the population. The average life expectancy is 32 years, and women and children are in double jeopardy due to their unequal status and `inheritance grabbing', whereby male relatives take whatever might be left to orphans by their parents. SWAPOL recently established a mobile clinic, and is helping fight for women's inheritance rights, with the Stephen Lewis Foundation at its side. And, we can be thankful for all our friends in Ontario who are contributing to the $Million Or More Oakville ($MOMO) campaign. After only the first year, $MOMO has reached more than one-third of its goal, with everincreasing momentum holding the promise of reaching the goal in the New Year. With a global economic downturn, it becomes even more important to sustain volunteer efforts like those undertaken by children, teens, and adults in Oakville to support the Stephen Lewis Foundation. And, as your ambassador, Halla, I thank you for your generosity thus far, encourage you to give again in 2009, and wish you a very Happy New Year. Halla is a 12-year-old female African Savannah elephant working with $Millions or More Oakville ($MOMO) to support the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) and the fight against AIDS in Africa. For more information, visit www.millionormoreslf.ca, or phone 905-4696415. -- Submitted by the $Million or More Oakville campaign ONE DAY BOXING DAY SALE December 27 open 9:00 am % 50 off ENTIRE COLLECTION 40 OFF All Christmas Items December 27th and 28th, 10:00am - 5:00pm % (some exceptions apply) No Refunds or Returns Dec. 27 1410 Speers Road, Oakville (between 3rd Line & 4th Line on the South side) MAPLE GROVE VILLAGE, OAKVILLE (905) 845-0655 (905) 827-9337 Canadian Blood Services will host a Blood Donor Clinic at Oakville Place on Wednesday, Dec. 31. It takes place from 11:30 a.m. ­ 3:30 p.m. at the shopping mall located at 240 Leighland Ave. Those interested in donating blood, can contact Canadian Blood Services at 1-888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) for blood donor clinic information, eligibility information or to book an appointment.