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More residents living below the poverty line Continued from page 1 5 · Thursday, December 6, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com is that we can then buy gift cards from stores on a discount," she said. Each year, the Christmas Wonders and Beyond program gives families something a little extra to help make celebrating the holidays even more special -- last year, each child was given a snowsuit, while this year, every tot will receive a new pair of pyjamas for Christmas morning. According to the Oakville Community Foundation's 2011 Vital Signs report, more than 26,000 people in Oakville live below the poverty line. For that reason, Stassen says the program added `beyond' to its name, to reflect KSM's continued support of client families long after the holidays. "We added the beyond part (last year) because they (families) still come to us after the holidays with needs for food and clothing for their children and other areas of need... people still have to eat and clothe their children after Christmas," she said. The program helps close to 1,000 individuals each year, with 800 participants currently registered -- participants must live in Oakville and show proof of income as part of a screening process. There was a time when the number of people assisted by the program continued to grow, but it has since stabilized to about 1,000 registrants per year, said Stassen. "I believe, the reason our numbers have stabilized is because there are more and more programs out there helping, not because the number of people needing help has decreased -- certainly the number of people living below the poverty level in Oakville has risen over the years." Agnes Stassen, co-ordinator, Christmas Wonders and Beyond Kerr Street Ministries "I believe, the reason our numbers have stabilized is because there are more and more programs out there helping, not because the number of people needing help has decreased -- certainly the number of people living below the poverty level in Oakville has risen over the years," she said. "It's for this reason too, that we crosscheck our lists with other organizations so there is no double-dipping. We feel that there's enough money in Oakville to go around to help everybody." This year's fundraising goal for the Christmas Wonders program is $300,000. About $60,000 has been raised so far -- last year the program took in $230,000 to help local families. Stassen says, first and foremost, there is a demand for monetary donations, however, gift cards in $25 denominations, particularly to Food Basics and Walmart, will also be accepted up to Dec. 24 -- since some families don't register until there is no other alternative on Christmas Eve. Donations can be dropped off at KSM's headquarters, made by credit card over the phone by calling Stassen at 905-334-3742, or by cheque, which can be dropped off at the main office or mailed to 485 Kerr St., Oakville, ON, L6K 3C6 -- income tax receipts are available for both monetary donations and gift card purchases. For more info on the program or how to donate, visit www.kerrstreet.com. Co m me Auto rcia ·H l·L om if e e ·T ra ve l Free Quotes AMAZING RATES! Fast Service... 2345 Wyecroft Road, Unit 18, Oakville L6L 6L8 905.847.0400 · akeith@all-risks.com ADRIAN KEITH Voted #1 Best Insurance Brokerage & #1 Insurance Broker by Oakville Beaver readers 2012 · DISPLAY MODELS · SCRATCH `N' DENTS · ONE OF A KIND · NEW IN A BOX · ALL PRICED TO CLEAR 2012 FLOOR MODEL CLEARANCE!! ALL HOT TUB FLOOR MODELS SOLID HARDWOOD SLATE POOL TABLES ALL 1/2 PRICE PRICED TO CLEAR CLEARANCE SALE $1499 REG.$2999 AIR HOCKEY FOOSBALL FROM 4 PERSON HOT TUB $1999 REG.$2999 $1299 RETAIL FACTORY DIRECT / BARS / BAR STOOLS / FOOSBALL / AIR HOCKEY / BEER PONG TABLES $ $ 499 $299 RETAIL 799 BARS FROM $ PUB TABLE FROM BAR STOOLS FROM 199 $ 99 $179 RETAIL 504 IROQUOIS SHORE ROAD, UNIT #1, OAKVILLE, ON L6H 3K4 FACTORY*Limited DIRECT Time Offer, No Dealers Please, Quantities Limited. 905.815.5252 www.leisureindustries.ca