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9 | Thursday, January 1 2, 2 0 1 7 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Kerr Street Mission surpasses holiday fundraising goal by Nathan Howes Oakville Beaver Staff The generosity of Oakville residents was above and beyond Kerr Street M ission' s (KSM) call for help w ith its annual Christmas W onders and Beyond program. W ith a goal of $350,000, KSM raised $370,000 for its 2 0 f6 holiday initiative -- a fO-20 per cent increase over 2 0f5. KSM helps the com m unity of Oakville care for low -incom e and at-risk families and youths. It works to com e alongside families in distress to help them get to a healthier, more sustainable situation and to develop youths so they don't end up in poverty. Its holiday program, w hich helps families registered with KSM, receives gift cards so that parents can shop for presents for their ow n children, so youths get what they need, and what they want. According to program co-ordinator Agnes Unger Stassen, last m onth' s Christmas W onders and Beyond fundraiser assisted 1,134 individuals or 441 families. In 2015, 914 individuals or 381 families were served by the program. "We are very, very grateful to the people of Oakville. If it w asn't for the generosity of a town like Oakville, there is absolutely no w ay w e w ould be able to do Christmas generously for our people, as w ell as help them beyond," said Unger Stassen. "Our hearts are overflowing w ith thanks." Meeting and exceeding its holiday fundraising target m eans KSM is in "fairly good shape" to support its other programs in 2017, Unger Stassen said, w hich includes the Live on Kerr show and golf and baseball tournaments, am ong others. "If you (divide) 441 families into $370,000, you w ould say each family gets a huge, huge chunk of money. They get gift cards, w e do not give them money. The m oney w e raise does see us through the spring to help them ," said Unger Stassen. "This gets us through January, February and March, w hich are typically lean m onths in the charity w orld." There are currently more than 26,000 people living below the poverty line in Oakville' s Kerr Street area, according to KSM, w hich indicates every dollar raised by the Christmas Wonders program translates into $1.09. "We don't want them to have financial struggles at Christmas, but also this m oney w ill help them beyond Christmas. That' s w hy our program is called Christmas W onders and Beyond," said Unger Stassen. "After Christmas, (families) still need help w ith food and clothing. This m oney is used for beyond Christmas, as w ell." For information on KSM, visit w w w kerrstreet.net. T h in k in g a b o u t y o u r c h i l d 's e d u c a t i o n ? THE Agnes Unger Stassen CHOICE is YOURS Saturday, January 21 , 2017 10 a.m . - 2 p.m. ALL SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE | CAN AD IAN PET CON N ECTIO N = 1 1 ---------------- 1*----------------- Healthier \| Foods fo r Healthier Pets Make a CLEAN start to 2017! A w a rd w in n in g do g g ro o m in g a t C a n a d ia n Pet C o n n e c tio n Two Oakville locations: 1500 U p p e r M iddle R d .W 361 C o r n w a ll R o a d (at Third Line) (Whole Foods Plaza - behind Shoppers) Oakville Independent Schools provide unique educational experiences that enrich students' lives. Our schools prepare students to embrace innovation, confront new challenges, explore their passions, and develop confidence and resilience. Visit our schools on January 21st to explore how an independent education can benefit your child. m ^ G R O O M IN G Valid until February 14 , 2 0 1 7 1 Restrictions may apply 905-847-3299 905-815-0320' Shop from home at our brand new online store: w w w .N o r th e r n P e tS h o p .c o m Oakville Independent Schools THIRTY 750s Experience premium winemaking at the best prices. SEEW HAT MAKES US DIFFERENT YOUR WI NE M A K ING E S T A B L I S H M E N T e CLANM O RE Montessori School Make Your Own Wine from $ California 69' a batch! Hours: Tuesday-Wednesday: 10:30am-6pm Thursday-Friday: 10:30am-8pm Saturday: 9am-5pm Sunday-Monday Closed Connoisseur Call for appointment. Every batch makes 30 bottles. *First time clients only, w ith coupon. 1144 S p e ers Rd. O akville · 905-842-7507 · w w w .th irty750s.co m w w w .educationoakviN e.com To learn m ore, and to a c c e s s a m ap of sch o o l lo ca tio n s, visit