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

Award winners show Community Spirit every day by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 3 | Friday, June 14, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com The countless hours volunteers give to society were recognized Wednesday at Oakville's 12th annual Community Spirit Awards. The event, held at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, attracted more than 100 people who joined award nominees in a celebration of community achievement. "The people of this town are the most amazingly spirited people when it comes to volunteerism. We all see that every day in the quality of life we enjoy," said Mayor Rob Burton. "This is the evening when we single out just a handful to recognize you for what you have given to the town... We are very happy you are willing to let us make an example of you because we hope you will inspire others." Presentation of the Access Award, which recognizes a significant voluntary contribution to the well-being and advancement of people with disabilities, kicked off the night. It was presented posthumously to Greg Gittings who died in January. He had cerebral palsy and was involved with the March of Dimes for more than 30 years and was a founding tenant of the Ontario March of Dimes Non-Profit Housing Corporation's (NPHC) Jean and Howard Caine apartment building on Robinson Street. The mixed-use building was designed to integrate people with disabilities into the com- Dana Said Dennaoui takes a closer look at her Community Spirit Arts Award, which was sponsored by the Oakville Beaver. A total of eight awards were handed out during the annual Town of Oakville celebration. photo by Steven Der Garabedian ­ special to the Beaver munity and its success has made it a model for future buildings developed by NPHC. Dana Said Dennaoui won the Arts Award for enhancing local arts through her volunteerism. Said Dennaoui is an elected board member of the Oakville Chamber Orchestra, which has a mandate to engage youths in the arts through programs such as Youth Appreciation. Said Dennaoui has been actively involved in the École Pine Grove school community since 2011, where she is described as a champion of the arts and literacy through initiatives such as the Pine Grove Chapters Night. An advocate for bilingualism, Said Dennaoui is also vice-president of the Canadian Parents for French Halton Chapter. "I am so thrilled. This was totally unexpected. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest," said Said Dennaoui. "We moved here three years ago and immersed ourselves in the community because we left our family back home halfway across the globe. Since then, our second home has been Oakville, but now it is our first home. I couldn't be more thankful or more proud." Andy Stark took home the Environmental Award for starting the Halton Ecopartners and the Oakville Permeable Driveway Club. These groups have allowed Stark to share his knowledge about building permeable surface driveways, growing and preserving food, and numerous other green living options. Through the creation of the GO Local Oakville website, Stark has also built a platform for others to share environmental knowledge. "I was surprised," said Stark after receiving the award. "I like to stay in the background." Stark said he wants to be involved in his community and make a personal difference in the way people interact with their environment. The Acclaim Health Volunteer Support Program took home the Group Volunteer Award for providing in-home emotional support and assistance to individuals and family members facing a life-threatening illness. Last year, Acclaim Health volunteers provided support to 373 family members and offered 13,925 hours of compassionate care. see Many on p.13 DENTISTRY FOR CHILDREN means... Reassuring appointments geared to your child's self-esteem and confidence ... THE WHOLE CHILD FIRST Conservative treatment of dental cavities. Bottle cavities treatment and oral habits management. ...A NON TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE. ... WHEN, WHY AND HOW **************** **************** **************** Topical fluorides and preventive fissure sealants ... A CAVITY-FREE GENERATION Guidance of the emerging teeth with early interceptive orthodontics ... HELPING FACES GROW Certified Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry DR KENNETH HUNE www.hunekayedental.com HUNE KAYE DENTAL GROUP 1540 North Service Rd. West. 3rd. Line & QEW (Tim Hortons Plaza) Oakville, Ontario, L6M4A1 NEW FAMILIES WELCOME DISTINCTIVE EUROPEAN FASHION. 905-844-0872