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

www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, February 5, 2014 | 6 Editorial Home sweet home Everyone deserves a safe, loving home. Young Arvin Bal's words to that effect -- his take on the Meaning of Home -- were fresh on the page in Genworth Canada's Meaning of Home contest... (see photo at right). Mayor Rob Burton had just uttered the challenge as Bal was of cially awarded rst prize... get local youths involved and another property could house a Habitat for Humanity Halton home in Oakville. So great the need, the challenge was swiftly scooped up within the community -- by those who mean business, those who can help, and those who want to help. Bring it, as they say. Last week, Bal, a Grade 6 student at Heritage Glen Public School, was of cially presented his prize by Genworth Canada of cials -- a $60,000 donation, he, in turn, gave to Habitat for Humanity Halton for its upcoming Oakville home build. Bal won rst prize in the nation-wide writing contest for his poem, Home, and was given the opportunity to donate $60,000 to the Habitat for Humanity af liate of his choice. Construction on that house on Pembroke Drive is slated to begin in March. It will house a working family for whom home ownership would otherwise be out of reach. In return, the family will pay it forward by assisting in future Habitat builds and will pay off a mortgage specially arranged so it can meet the payments. While attending the presentation at the Glen Abbey school, Mayor Rob Burton announced the Town of Oakville could donate land to Habitat Halton for the development of affordable housing. The mayor challenged Habitat to get the school's students involved in a build while challenging the assembly to continue working to improve the community. The students were keen to rise to the challenge. Representatives of Habitat Halton were excited about the initiatives. "We are delighted to take the mayor up on his offer. I am eager to begin this great partnership between the Town of Oakville, Heritage Glen School and Habitat Halton," answered John Gerrard, executive director of Habitat Halton. The local Habitat branch is expanding its home building program ambitiously. This year, the organization began working toward its goal of completing 75 affordable homes in ve years, helping more families in need of a hand up. Heritage Glen Public School Principal Joe Toth offered words of support. "The relationships that are being built between our school and our community will change children's lives forever," he said. "They have seen rsthand what can happen when you take action, show initiative and follow through on good intentions." Oakville should be a place where everyone can nd affordable housing. Habitat Halton's vision is a world where everyone has a safe, decent and affordable place in which to live. Habitat for Humanity Halton's mission is to use knowledge, skills, community relationships, volunteers and other resources to create and promote safe and affordable homeownership options with the aim of alleviating the cycle of poverty. Perhaps one day, its mission will be accomplished. "Connected to your Community" N E R 447 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 52 | Number 15 A B I G W I N The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice ­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor Habitat for Humanity Halton and Genworth Canada announced Heritage Glen Public School Grade 6 student Arvin Bal won the $60,000 grand prize in Genworth's national Meaning of Home Contest. The money will go toward Habitat Halton's build of a 1,200-sq.-ft. home on Pembroke Drive in Oakville. Here, Bal (in front) with from left, Lisa Azzuolo, communication director Genworth Canada, Debbie McPherson, senior vice-president of sales and marketing Genworth Canada, television personality Scott McGillivray, and Anita Booth, strategic marketing leader Genworth Canada. To read Bal's winning entry, visit www.meaningofhome.ca. | photo by Eric Riehl ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production SANDY PARE MARK DILLS Chamber marks 65th anniversary Orla Johnson Oakville Chamber of Commerce Chair My View MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager T he Oakville Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 65th anniversary in 2014. Although our chamber is young in relative terms compared to many others in Canada, we are proud of what we have accomplished in our 65-year history. Did you know the chamber was instrumental in bringing Crime Stoppers and the YMCA to Oakville? In its early days, it brought the councils of Bronte, Oakville and Trafalgar Township together to create what is now the Town of Oakville. The chamber was also instrumental in working with the other Halton chambers and Halton school boards to create the Halton Industry Education Council, a not-for-pro t organization, which fosters partnerships between industry, education and the community in Halton. The Oakville Chamber has won awards from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce for our advocacy work and that related to economic development. The chamber created an award-winning elearning program available to all members covering many of the skills required for success in any business. We partner with community organizations to bring the Annual Environmental Awareness and Random Acts of Kindness days to Oakville. In partnership with the Rotary Club of Oakville West, the chamber presents the Annual Awards for Business Excellence. We are proud of the effective working relationships we have forged with representatives from all levels of government and the high-pro le speakers we have brought to Oakville to speak to our members. Hosting, the Prime Minister of Canada, the new Governor of the Bank of Canada, the Premier of Ontario, federal and provincial cabinet ministers and prominent business leaders has earned us a reputation as Oakville's podium of record. We are equally proud of the international relationships we have developed through hosting ambassadors and consuls general. see Chamber on p.7 Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: 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, 5040 Mainway, Burlington ON L7L 7G5 or via e-mail to; ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. 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.