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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, October 1, 2015 | 24 Taveeta Szymanowicz Issac Lupien | submitted photos Next Step dancers to appear at Father Daughter Ball by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver The popularity of the Father Daughter Ball continues to grow every year, which means more support for Halton children. Melanie Allison, event director, professional dancer and Dance4Life founder, along with the Zaks Family Foundation, is hosting the third annual ball Saturday (Oct. 3) at 4:30 p.m. at Le Dome Banquet Hall, 1173 North Service Rd. E., in Oakville. Proceeds of the sold-out event, which features dinner, music and dance, raffles and prizes, -- as well as The Next Step celebrity appearances -- will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton (BBBSH) and Dance4Life. The latter provides weekly dance lessons for girls in BBBSH. Last year's event raised $20,000 for Dance4Life, and to date, has fetched more than $35,000 for children in Halton. "There are a lot of families in need. I've developed such a special relationship with a lot of the families through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton. They need our help. It's very important to run the event every year just to help our kids," said Allison. "Giving these kids the gift of dance gives them confidence; they're happier, they make friends. I've seen the kids come out of their shells like you wouldn't believe." Barbara Ferrone, BBBSH executive director, said Dance4Life is making a "huge impact" on the lives of the children her organization serves. "A number of the children served by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton come from lowincome families who struggle to provide the most basic needs for their kids, so dance lessons are not high on the list of affordable activities, despite their significant benefits," said Ferrone. The idea for the gala came about after Allison see The on p.28 You get just one funeral. Make it the one you want. You are unique. Your life is unlike any other. By pre-planning your final arrangements now, you can choose the options that reflect how you want to be remembered. They face new challenges every day. The sex ed. and health curriculum can help. The first updates since 1998 will help parents and teachers give kids the skills they need to stay safe. Find out what kids will learn grade by grade at ontario.ca/hpe. What's more, you can save thousands of dollars and protect family from uncertainty about your wishes. Take the first step: Ask us about your FREE Planning Kit! ontario.ca/hpe 905-257-1100 Look for us on Facebook glenoaks.ca Glen Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery by Arbor Memorial Plannin g Kit! Family Owned. Proudly Canadian. FREE Paid for by the Government of Ontario 3164 Ninth Line (403 & Dundas St.), Miss./Oakville, ON Arbor Memorial Inc.