Local teenager to help refugees

Mike Holloway was so shocked by the deplorable conditions Haitian refugees were living in last summer

during a visit to the Dominican Republic, he literally gave one boy the shirt off his back. In fact, that day the Georgetown youth gave away all the clothes he was wearing, except for his bathing suit, to the refugees who were living in a dumpsite. "I felt so bad for them," said Holloway, 16, a Grade 11 Georgetown District High School student, who was in the country participating in Hero Holiday-- a humanitarian relief project that last July saw several high school students from across Canada building homes for Haitian refugees. "I decided right then and there I wanted to go down there to try to help these people out." So he plans to participate in the program again this July, heading back to Sousa, Dominican Republic for nine days to continue with the building project. He said the trip last year was a real eye-opener. "It was a heart-warming experience and it really changed my outlook on life," said Holloway. "It taught me to appreciate what I have." While there, Holloway spent time during behind a shovel digging a pipeline trench, mixing cement, or installing rebar wire on the homes. He said it was hard work, but well worth it. "I want to do the best I can to help these people. They have so little, but they're so happy to be alive and have each other." It will cost Holloway $1,700 to attend the project, sponsored by Absolute, a Canadian charitable organization since 2000. To raise money for the trip a spaghetti dinner will be held at 77 Market St. Restaurant in Georgetown this Saturday (March 4) at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 each, $15 of which will go back toward his trip. Diamond and the Ruff will perform classic rock at the fund-raiser and there will also be dancing, door prizes and a silent auction. Anyone interested in attending is asked to call Holloway at 905-873-7033 or e-mail him at mikeholloway@sympatico.ca.