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5 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, July 24, 2009 Merger won't affect fundraisers Continued from page 1 like Relay for Life, residential campaign and Daffodil Days still running in each of the respective communities, the communities are not anticipated to notice much difference. Volunteers will continue to be recruited in each of the three communities and cancer patients who use the Society's transportation service may not be aware the transportation service itself has been centrally run for the last year, said Burns. The Oakville Unit has served the town since the late Jean Smith founded it in her Rosemary Lane living room in 1957. Burns said the Burlington unit, too, has been around for at least a half century. Years ago, Milton used to have a unit, and it was re-established out of the Burlington unit office a decade ago. "We live in a world of change and it's always a moving target," said Burns, adding the changes being initiated are all about serving the patient, the public and channeling the most money to client services and cancer research. While Burns said news of the amalgamation wasn't a long time in coming, she did admit that the Oakville and Burlington/Milton units work more closely than many other units in the province. Transportation services have been centrally run for the last year and staff moving back and forth between offices has also been on the increase over the last year. Serving the public, doing a good job at serving clients and raising money for research is what the Canadian Cancer Society is all about, whatever the unit. Oakville and Burlington/Milton units draw in more than 1,000 volunteers all together, said Burns. Fundraising targets for each community will also be maintained with the cash going back into services in each community and to wherever the best research is taking place. The Oakville Unit fundraising target for 2009/10 is $1.1 million. That figure is $1.3 million for the Burlington/Milton unit. The Oakville Unit has always been good at raising funds. In its first year it raised an astounding $2,500. More recently, annual fundraising has hit near the $2 million mark. The amalgamation was made official as the leases expire at both unit offices at the end of this year so the timing was right to realize cost efficiencies on administration, said Burns. Burns learned of the merger from a vice-president with the Canadian Cancer Society's Ontario Division and her understanding is that it will not result in cuts to the units' paid staffing complement or the services provided to hundreds of clients in Oakville, Burlington or Milton. The Burlington/Milton unit office has been housed at 1251 Northside Rd. (off Mainway, just east of Guelph line). The Oakville unit office is on Fourth Line just south of Speers Road. An official with the Canadian Cancer Society's Ontario Division said the amalgamation of the Oakville and Burlington unit offices is a unique situation and not part of a trend within the society. "As far as I understand, it is a one-off situation that the leases (for both offices) are coming up (for renewal) at the same time," said Christine Koserski, senior co-ordinator of public affairs. "Clients change daily. We may have 100 needing rides one week, 150 the next week and then 75.... Transportation is huge ... because it is free and we'll take them to whatever treatment centre they need to go to," usually between Toronto and London. "Peer support is very important too and our cancer information is really important to (clients) too." The merger and move to a consolidated office should not affect clients directly, said Burns. "There are very few services that are offered out of the unit office. This will not impact our clients. If they need a ride, there is a particular phone number they call. We do all of their intake (information gathering) over the phone. We do not require them to come into the office." The units do not receive government funding, said Burns. -- with files from Tim Whitnell o t-of-T wn Ser vice & Ou rt rpo Ai OAKVILLE UNITED TAXI Enjoy the Canadian Open! AN EXPERIENCED TEAM YOU CAN DEPEND ON · · · · Airport Flat Rates Out-of-Town Service Regular In-Town Service 10% Discount On Parcel Service · GPS Computerized Dispatch · Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle · Corporate Accounts Welcome · Airport Customer Wake-Up Service · 10% Senior Discount - In Town · More Than 70 Taxis In Our Fleet · Gift Certificates Available BUY LOCALLY SERVICE LOCALLY SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY Phone: (905) 825-8088 www.volvoofoakville.com 24 HOUR · 7 DAYS A WEEK 905.338.0044 www.oakvilleunitedtaxi.com THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT If you are interested in joining our team, please call 905-338-1762 SERVICE DEPARTMENT OPEN SATURDAYS