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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, April 18, 2012 · 6 OPINION & LETTERS 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571 Classified Advertising: 632-4440 Circulation: 845-9742 --Open 9-5 weekdays, 5-7 for calls only Wed. to Friday, Closed weekends Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Oakville Beaver THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Canadian Circulation Audit Board Member THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Suburban Newspapers of America Canadian Community Newspapers Association ATHENA Award NEIL OLIVER Vice ­ President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The Oakville Beaver is a division of DAVID HARVEY Regional General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief DANIEL BAIRD Advertising Director ANGELA BLACKBURN Managing Editor RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director SANDY PARE Business Manager MARK DILLS Director of Production MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution SARAH MCSWEENEY Circ. Manager Unsung heroes There's an unstoppable force at work in our community that will always have a greater influence on our society than the most powerful politician or wealthiest of philanthropists. Collectively, that force has the awesome responsibility of ensuring society continues to function, progress and that no one is left behind. These silent heroes toil mostly in anonymity, with no expectation of fame or fortune. They are community volunteers. Volunteers are integral to everything that makes Oakville special -- in the social service sector, local schools, our most vital health-care agencies and at most of the community events that make us choose to live where we do. For one week a year -- this year from April 15-21 -- we honour Canada's unsung heroes, its volunteers, for making our small towns and biggest cities such incredible places to call home. The week is also a good time to encourage others -- young and young at heart -- to take up the challenge of giving back to their community by offering what time they can manage to spare. Here at the Beaver, we salute the thousands of residents who give of their time to make our town the best it can be. In the pages of today's edition, we tell the stories of but a few of the many who make a real difference to others. To them, and others... to those who sell daffodils for their local chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society, those who drive cancer patients to doctor's appointments through the Canadian Red Cross and those who offer to help sort out donations at the local food bank... we say thank you. We also offer this challenge to everyone who does not yet volunteer in our community. Make it a goal to set aside some time to do something for the betterment of your community. Get involved in a neighbourhood clean-up project, volunteer to help with coaching of a local sports team, or offer to visit a shut-in. The possibilities -- and rewards -- are endless. We believe you'll be glad you did. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. Letter to the editor It is always appreciated Volunteering is part of our identity as Canadians -- we value civic participation and embrace a spirit of community. The Halton Children's Aid Society (Halton CAS) recognizes those community members, parents, teachers and retirees who generously give of their time to support vulnerable children, youths and families during National Volunteer Week, April 15-21. "Volunteers play a very important role in our day-to-day work," said Nancy MacGillivray, executive director of the Halton CAS. "We know they make a difference in the lives of our children, youths and families. We often hear them say things like, `I would be lost without you', `You mean the world to me', or, `I appreciate everything you do for me'." Across Ontario, more than 5,600 volunteers give more than 620,000 hours of their time to children's aid societies in service of children, youths and families. Last year, Halton CAS volunteers contributed more than 13,000 hours of service (the equivalent of almost 2,000 days at seven hours per day) and drove more than 350,000 kilometres to assist children and youths attend after-school and camp programs, and visit family and friends. Volunteers have a wide range of skills and fill roles in various capacities, such as mentors, drivers, special friends and tutors. Some volunteers offer expertise that can be used in working directly with children and youths; others offer their skills to provide leadership and guidance as members of the Board of Directors. If you are interested in supporting the work of the Halton Children's Aid Society, go to our website at www. HaltonCAS.ca for more information. Robyn Connolly, Board and Communications Specialist, Halton Children's Aid Society Letters to the editor The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. Paws Up to OMHS volunteers The staff and all of the furry, feathered and scaled animals at the Oakville & Milton Humane Society (OMHS) would like to give a big `Paws Up' in thanks to our wonderful volunteers. You may be working with our dogs, helping ensure that their next home will be their `forever' home. Perhaps you are spending quality time with our cats, giving each one a chance to stretch, play and cuddle so that they feel well loved as they patiently wait for their new family. You may be helping our office staff stay up to date on data entry, making sure our donors are thanked and our newsletters are sent out. You could be the face of our shelter at events, sharing our story with the community and inspiring folks to adopt, volunteer and give. It may be you who we hand the carrier full of orphaned baby squirrels to so you may drive them to a rehabilitator many miles down the road. Whatever you do and however you help, you make a difference every day to the animals in our shelter... our success is your success and we thank you so very much. Brenda Dushko, Manager Fund Development & Communications, Oakville & Milton Humane Society Follow Oakville Beaver staff on Twitter @OakvilleBeaver or @NewsHooked @DavidLea6 @DominikKurek @BeaverSports or @Halton_Photog