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A 4 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday December 4, 2002 N e w o ffice has `b ig ' m e a n in g fo r staff, vo lu n te e rs By Howard Mozel OAKVILLE B E A V E R STA FF Photos by Barrie Erskine · Oakville Beaver Little Brother Davis Onaczyszyn, 7, shows his Big Brother John Holloway how to play electronic Battleship at last week's opening of new offices for Big Brothers on Morden Road. Right, the youngster greets Mayor Ann Mulvale at the official opening. There are many reasons why Big Brothers o f H alton's new office is invaluable to staff and programming, but all the enthusiasm at last week's open house could be boiled down to two words: Davis Onaczyszyn. Davis -- a seven-year-old Little Brother who was matched in October -- is living proof that the real bottom line of the agency is what Regional Chair Joyce Savoline called "healthy, confident and happy kids." To encourage that end, Savoline, Mayor Ann Mulvale and Big Brothers staff involved Davis in last Thursday's ribbon-cutting, after which he gave an interview with the Oakville Beaver and generally enjoyed all the positive atten tion directed his way. "We need to understand the wisdom o f investing in our children," said Mulvale. Among these investments brought to bear is the new Morden Road office, which marks a big leap forward from Big Brothers' cramped Reynolds Street quarters where, at one point, five staffers were crammed into one room. "We were just itching to expand," said Big Brothers of Halton Executive Director Lena Bassford, who explained that the increased square footage will allow for a variety of programs to grow. The large central room is ideal for "bigs and littles" to enjoy game and movie nights, crafts sessions and other events, says Bassford, as well as train ing sessions for mentors. The new office is also wheelchair accessible. "Now there's nothing stopping someone from volunteering," said Big Brothers Director of Communications Eileen MacKenzie. According to Davis' mother, Natalie, the environment is also much more wel coming and user-friendly, sentiments echoed by Big Brothers board member Jennifer Santos. "We are very excited about the future of this organization," she said. "We look forward to building lifelong memories within these walls." Big Brothers of Halton serves chil dren in the community through a variety of mentoring programs. Best known is the traditional One-to-One match with an adult male role model. Also available is the In-School Mentoring Program that matches boys and girls with an adult male or female volunteer. Big Brothers also offers Couples Matching and group programs. These initiatives allow children, who may be experiencing a variety o f diffi culties in their young lives, to receive the guidance and support of a caring role model. In Davis' case that's John Holloway, with whom the youngster is forging a meaningful relationship after being matched less than two months ago. Holloway said he has friends who volunteered and loved the program so he decided to join. "I wanted to be able to help out in the community," he said, adding that those who don't think they have enough time to be a Big Brother should think again. Davis, a boy a few words (at least during the interview), said it has been "fun" doing things with Holloway, like seeing the latest Harry Potter movie and attending the Legends of Hockey at the Air Canada Centre. Davis says his Big Brother is "nice" and makes him feel special which, of course, is music to Natalie's ears. "He looks forward to the outings and I know he has lots of fun," she said. Added Holloway: "It gives a chance to get out there and play some sports that they might not otherwise be able to do. I haven't bowled in a long time." For Santos, who thanked the Big Brothers staff, volunteers and other sup porters, the end results are well worth the effort. "You do make a difference," she said. These benefits can last a lifetime, agreed Savoline, whose husband was a Big Brother to a boy who is now in his 40s and remains connected with his for mer mentor -- the godfather of his son. we're your Christmas Wish store because w e sen m orereclinersthan anyother store inCanada Based on independent national surveys current at time of advertising preparation This Saturday only! Enter for the chance to win a recliner E a c hp articip atin gS ears F u rn itu reSA p p lia n ces S to rew ill a w a r don e(1 )p rize. A p p ro x im a te reta il valu eS 4 9 9 .9 7 . N op u rch aseis n ecessary. C on test starts at store op en in ga n d closes at storeclosin go nS atu rd ay D ecem b er7.2002. 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