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

Includes: Lasagna or Cannelloni Mixed Green Salad Bread & Butter No Delivery - Pick Up Only - 48 Hours Notice Required Includes: Lasagna or Cannelloni Veal or Chicken Parmigiana Peas and Mushrooms Roast Potatoes Mixed Green Salad Bread & Butter ?er Person ?o Substitutions ?inimum order 12 People ?Valid Dec. 31 Only ?er Person ?o Substitutions ?inimum order 12 People ?Valid Dec. 31 Only ?er Person ?o Substitutions ?inimum order 12 People ?Valid Dec. 31 Only New Years Eve Specials $7 $15 $16+Tax+Tax+Tax MENU #3MENU # Includes: Lasagna or Cannelloni Veal or Chicken Scaloppine Baby Carrots Roast Potatoes Mixed Green Salad Bread & Butter MENU #1MENU # MENU #2MENU # Book Your Holiday Party Now! DundunDuDun as s Sa t t E Prin ce Mich ah el Dl r Tra falg ar Rdr Rr Uppepp r MiMr ddle Rd Rd E 4030 2501 Prince Michael Dr (at Dundas St.) (905) 257-9200 www.palmapasta.com Hours: Monday to Friday 9 am - 7 pm, Saturday 9 am - 6 pm , Sunday 10 am - 4 pm Established in 2001 West 2359 Lakeshore Road Oakville 22905-847-29 www.mybackshed.com French countryA romantic selection of utiful thingsinspired decor, bea deas.and gift i We offer: olstery Custom Uph iture Painting Custom Furn Monogramming Personalized S re item JanJa 7 W ednesday , D ecem ber 29, 2010 O A KVILLE BEA V ER w w w .o akvillebeaver .co m By Catherine OHara METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP A staff sergeant with the Halton Regional Police, Gavin Hayes is eager to help others in the community. But his willingness to lend a helping hand continues even after hes hung up his badge and holster at the end of his shift. Since 2003, Hayes has travelled across the Atlantic Ocean on four occasions to volunteer his time and resources to assist a not-for-profit organization that cares for orphaned and impov- erished children and youths in Burkina Faso, Africa. And he plans to continue offering his support to the Village of Hope by making anoth- er trip overseas next year. The Village of Hope, funded by Careforce International, a Burlington-based organization, features an elementary and secondary school, living accommodations for staff, students and work teams, a cafeteria and playground for youths. The village, which boasted 80 children in 2003, now cares for more than 450 young Burkinabe. Hayes was first presented with the opportu- nity to take part in a mission trip to the West African country in 2003 with members of his Grindstone Church congregation a voyage the Waterdown man saw as his chance to get involved and help overseas. I dont know why, there was just something inside that told me that I needed to go to Africa, he said. While the Waterdown church has since had a change in vision and has taken on different out- reach projects, Hayess desire to assist Burkinabe has remained strong. Following his first mission trip to the region in 2003, he has returned to the Village of Hope in 2007, 2008 and, most recently, this year. I fell in love with the country and the peo- ple, said Hayes, who regularly forms teams of interested volunteers who also want to focus their efforts on the Village of Hope. During the two-week mission, Hayes and members of his group lend a hand where need- ed. Volunteers have assisted with construction of structures on the site, others have also taken on maintenance projects, including painting, and administrative duties. After a days work, team members have the chance to interact with the Village of Hope youths. They are always looking for someone to play with, said Hayes, who participated in two trips accompanied by his sons, Colin and Derek. Activities are also planned for residents of the village by volunteers and have included movie nights for boys and men, as well as a spa and tea event for the facilitys female employees. We cooked popcorn for 400 kids and put on The Jungle Book, recalled Hayes of one special occasion. And based on the childrens excite- ment throughout the duration of the Disney movie, the soirwas a great success, he noted. While Hayes and other volunteers are keen on helping build and expand the Village of Hope, which hopes to boast a post-secondary educa- tional facility on its grounds, they also seek donations for medical supplies to take overseas. Earlier this year, Hayes collected more than 500 pounds of items, including tensor and adhesive bandages, acetaminophen tablets and anti-bacterial cream, thanks to the generosity of his co-workers at Halton Regional Police Service. When we got there, the nurse actually start- ed to cry because they were totally out of sup- plies, said Hayes. There was absolutely noth- ing for the kids for fevers or anything. Hayes explained that locally, residents are encouraged to sponsor orphaned or impover- ished children through a variety of channels, including public service announcements on tel- evision. But Canadians, watching images of children with swollen bellies on the television, have the option of changing the channel. When you go over and experience it, you are actually into the mess, said Hayes. You taste it, smell it and touch it. You cant forget that and you cant turn away because you are part of the whole situation. When I see things on television, it impacts me a little more than everybody else because youve been there and youve actually seen it. Its not made up for television; its that desper- ate. Following his first trip to the Village of Hope, the Hayes family started sponsoring an eight- year-old boy. Hayes continues to support the same young man, who is now 15-years-old. While he receives regular updates from Careforce International about the Village of Hope, Hayes also communicates with his spon- sor child, Karim Sawadago, via e-mail. When hes in Burkina Faso, they spend time together. And like any parent, Hayes encourages the young man to pursue a higher education and expects him to do well in school and have the marks to prove it on his report card. Next October, Hayes is planning another trip across the Atlantic. Already, 14 area residents have signed up for the mission; anyone interest- ed in joining them can contact Hayes at gavin@careforceinternational.ca. Participants are encouraged to raise funds to cover the cost of airfare, which is approximately $4,000. The team is scheduled to leave Canada on Oct. 14, 2011 and is expected to return on Oct. 29. For more information on the Village of Hope, visit www.careforceinternational.ca. Halton police sergeant reaches out to Village of Hope HELPING HAND: Halton Regional Police Staff Sgt. Gavin Hayes with his sponsor child, Karim Sawadago.