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Hockey club comes through for needy seniors By John Bkila OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF For the past 13 years, the Children of Christmas Past (COCP) program has made it a point to make sure seniors living on their own or in residences get whatever is on their wishlists, no matter what. This year, however, it was looking like for the first time, the program wouldn't be able to deliver, founder Jill Harrington admits, as several seniors had asked for lift chairs to help them get around. "They were always told to ask for their hearts desire, but this year, it was looking like an unachievable goal. The reality is that it's a very expensive item," she said. "This fact, coupled with exhaustion, left me with no Christmas exuberance... (in dealing) with the first time Christmas wishes in the history of COCP not being fulfilled." The homegrown COCP program, which makes sure seniors across Halton -- and beyond -- are not forgotten during the holiday season, is essentially run out of Harrington's basement, by her, Noah Rutka (Harrington's 10-year-old son), and a dedicated group of 30 volunteers. COCP-approved Christmas trees are set up in several locations across the region with tags that include the first names of seniors, who don't usually receive gifts on Christmas morning, and what's on their wish list -- with more than 30 trees appearing all over Halton this year. People visit a tree location, grab a tag, buy and wrap the gift, and then deliver it to Harrington's front porch where it will then be delivered on Christmas Day. Harrington's own Christmas wish would come true thanks to the Burlington Lions Optimist Minor Hockey Association (BLOMHA), which recently announced it would be purchasing six lift chairs (at $600 a piece) and donating them to COCP. While delivering the tags for the tree at BLOMHA's headquarters, Harrington was introduced to Tim Wilson, head coach for the MD (minor development) Minor Atom Burlington Bulldogs, in hopes he could donate his trucking company service in the event Harrington could manage to obtain the lift chairs. After learning more about the charity and the chairs, Wilson took it to his fellow coaches during a month- 15 · Wednesday, December 5, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com "I think we need to get more awareness out there of our impoverished seniors and try to get more help out there...." Tim Wilson, head coach, Minor Development, Minor Atom Burlington Bulldogs ly meeting in November and asked them if they would be willing to raise the money and purchase the lift chairs for seniors. "I told them about the charity and their need. These seniors are impoverished, they have very little -- some don't even have any family. So obviously, that touched them and I said, guys we have to raise $150 per team to buy these chairs, is anybody opposed to it? Not one person raised their hand. They were all over it and said let's get it done," said Wilson. "It's amazing to see how fast this has spiralled and see it happen. People are jumping on it left, right and centre." With 25 BLOMHA coaches taking charge, the money will be raised through a portion of team funds, but Wilson says the organization hopes to receive some financial donations from its community to help out -- those interested in donating to the purchase of the chairs can contact Sheila Ramage at BLOMHA at 905637-0731. The generous donation left Harrison speechless, she says, when she found out in an e-mail from Wilson telling her what BLOMHA had planned to do. "I was crying, excited and shocked, once again, at our community. I believe I cried the entire conversation (with Tim). BLOMHA is Burlington's hockey -- so many of these coaches grew up in BLOMHA and they didn't hesitate to help out. A five-minute presentation from Tim Wilson and look at the outcome," she said. "We live in a region that backs each other up. I'm a single mom, running a charitable program at Christmas from my home surrounded by a community like BLOMHA... this is what Christmas is truly about... giving without hesitation." Having begun as a small "feelgood" project in 1999, COCP has grown exponentially, says Harrison, with tree locations across Halton, and in Georgetown, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton-Wentworth and Caledonia. This year, the program has even spread to seniors' residences in Lethbridge and Canmore, Alta. -- Halifax, N.S. and Cocoa Beach, Florida chapters will open next year. Wilson says COCP has opened the eyes of not only BLOMHA members, but the community at large, to a real need in Halton. "BLOMHA is right behind that need. I know with our team, we're planning on sending out our kids to visit some seniors' homes, because we have forgotten about our seniors and there's not enough light shed on See Children page 17 FREE CHRISTMAS TREES Third Annual www.treefortoys.ca ta Visit with San Face Painting Music Colouring Contest Festive Treats And more! ee Tr Fir Balsam Presented by Hans Taal & David Newton Sales Representatives Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated You Give - We Give! Help us help kids and bring an unwrapped toy or gift for a TEENAGER and receive a FREE Christmas Tree. Great Teenager Gift Ideas: Gift cards Board games Electronic games Make up and Toiletries Books Hoodies or T-shirts Skateboard Sports Equipment School Supplies Watches A special thanks to the volunteers & staff of Century 21 Miller Date: Time: Place: Saturday, December 8th 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM 467 Speers Road, Oakville The Trees for Toys project is a fun, charitable program where donated Christmas Trees are given away, free, to anyone bringing an unwrapped toy or gift. All gifts are donated to children in the Oakville area. This year Trees for Toys is focusing on Teenagers (ages 12 - 16) as they are often overlooked. So please come by, enjoy the entertainment and help us help the kids of our community! For more information please contact Hans Taal or David Newton at 905-845-9180 go to www.century21.ca/hans.taal or www.davidnewton-homes.com 270 North Service Road W., Oakville (905) 849-8100 www.bostonpizza.com