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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, December 29, 2011 · 8 The Regional in Slave Lake, Alta. or the Goderich tornado, he Continued from page 3 about the Red Cross, but we don't know every- has assisted at a number of local house fires in thing that it does in the community and nation- Oakville earlier this year. Hodgson's wife, however, was at Slave Lake ally. "It is probably one of the few organizations for three weeks to help with the rescue efforts. that you can find doing good work in your own The wildfires forced 7,000 people from their local community -- regionally, provincially, homes and damage estimates reached $700 milnationally and internationally. I don't think there lion as of July ­-- making it the second-most costly Canadian disaster, according to the are many (groups) like that," he noted. There is no change to your household waste collection schedule due to Christmas Day Hodgson estimates there are between 70-80 Insurance Bureau of Canada. (Sunday, December 25), Boxing Day (Monday, December 26) and New Year's Day (Sunday, Hodgson expects the Red Cross to be there for volunteers in Halton, including 23 drivers. January 1). Transportation is the branch's most used service, as long as two years. "Unbelievable. It was devastating. The recovPlease place your waste at the curb by 7 a.m. on your regularly scheduled collection day. he said, noting more than 1,000 rides were proery is a tremendous exercise. The impact to the vided in October to appointments. Please check your 2011 Waste Management Guide and Collection Calendar for your collection "About 80 per cent of the work at Red Cross is people is beyond belief." area details, or visit www.halton.ca/waste to use our "Search by Address" tool. Across Halton, the Red Cross has branches in done by volunteers, which means we can keep costs down to a minimum. Volunteers are well- Milton, Burlington and Oakville that offer various local services including disaster management trained, well-screened," said Hodgson. The Red Cross helps vulnerable communities and community support programs. Hodgson will be closed Sunday, December 25, 2011 in Canada and around the world affected by looks forward to playing a greater role in the and Sunday, January 1, 2012 emergencies and disasters. It focuses on emer- community. "I've lived in Halton for 37 years and it's a gency response, first aid, water safety training, Regular Operating Hours community health, family reunification, and great place to live. The more we can give back to Open Monday to Saturday other services in communities across the coun- the community, the better. Red Cross is such a 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. unique organization that more people (should) try. know about. Anybody that volunteers with Red "We also have some great things we rent out 5400 Regional Road 25, Milton at very low cost -- medical equipment, walkers, Cross is going to find it very meaningful and canes, things like this for a lot of people who are rewarding." Wrapping Christmas Trees For volunteer opportunities or more informaseniors who had injuries or need some assistance Christmas tree collection occurs Paper tion, call 905-845-5241 or visit www.redcross.ca. for sheltering," said Hodgson. once in the month of January. The Oakville Red Cross is located at 1400 While he wasn't involved with some of the Do not place Remove all tinsel, lights, Cornwall Rd., Unit 15. larger rescue efforts -- such as the May wildfires wrapping paper in decorations, tree stands and the Blue Box. Wrapping paper is not accepted plastic bags from Christmas in the Blue Box because it often contains dyes trees prior to collection. Ensure Carpet Cleaning Specialists Since 1952 that contaminate the other acceptable papers. trees do not become stuck or frozen in snow As well, some wrapping paper contains foil banks. and plastic which cannot be recycled. Please check your 2011 Waste Management For more holiday hints and tips, read our blog Guide and Collection Calendar for your www.haltonrecycles.ca. collection area details, or visit RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL www.halton.ca/waste to use our "Search WALL TO WALL FURNITURE & UPHOLSTERY by Address" tool. Municipality of Halton www.halton.ca He's raising the profile Oakville Christmas & New Year's Day Household Waste Collection Notice Halton Waste Management Site 2012 Calendars The 2012 Waste Management Guide & Collection Calendar will be mailed to all houses in mid January 2012. Stay Connected! @haltonrecycles haltonrecycles.ca OTMH offers On The Spot! Butt Out program this January AREA RUGS PERSIAN & ORIENTAL Truck Mount In-Plant Service Water Damage Restoration Make this New Year's a good one and Drive SAFE To make sure we ring in 2012 safely, we'd like to remind everyone about Drive SAFE (Safety Awareness for Everyone), a partnership between Halton Region and the Halton Regional Police Service to promote road Gary Carr safety. Regional Chair Together we can help keep Halton's roads safe by being mindful of the speed limit, road conditions and our fellow drivers. As you're planning your fun and festivities to welcome the New Year, be sure to plan your ride to and from the party. Hop on the GO to get around the GTA, book a taxi, take local transit, have a designated driver, or plan to spend the night ­ whatever you do, don't drink and drive. Help keep Halton roads safe. Drive SAFE. Halton Regional Meeting Schedule Dec 26 - 30 Offices closed for holidays Meetings can be viewed at www.halton.ca See the transformation of what we can do in relation to others! VOTED BEST CARPET & RUG CLEANERS 9 YEARS IN A ROW! Drop-off Discount! 25% FREE 250 mL SPOTTING BOTTLE www.onthespotcleaning.ca Bronte Please let us know as soon as possible if you will have an accessibility or accommodation need at a Halton Region hosted event or meeting. 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, Ontario L6M 3L1 301211 905-825-4256 1446 WALLACE RD. OAKVILLE, ON QEW Speers Wallace Butt Out in 2012 is aimed at smokers who want to kick the habit. Butt Out is a group smoking cessation program for smokers who really want to quit. According to its organizers, most smokers do want to quit -- and, from time to time, all they may need is an invitation to do so. Halton Healthcare Services (HHS) will provide just that opportunity early in the New Year. There is no cost associated with the Butt Out program and all sessions are provided by certified smoking cessation counsellors. The winter session begins on Tuesday, Jan. 10. It runs 6-7 p.m. at OakvilleTrafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH), located at 327 Reynolds St. The group will gather in the Library Meeting Room on the hospital's basement level. Call 905-338-4691 for more information or to register.