NEWS May Court Club of Oakville continuing legacy of founder Charity helping community through volunteer work, donations and scholarships DAVID LEA dlea@metroland.com Area residents inter ested in making friends and supporting a number local charities are invited to learn more about the May Court Club of Oak ville. The Oakville chapter is part of the Association of May Court Clubs of Cana da, which was founded in 1898 and is described as the first service club in Canada. The organization's founder, Lady Isabel Ab erdeen, had very strong ideas about the role of women, believing they could be a force for posi- tive change in their com munities. More than a century later, May Court clubs have grown to more than 1,500 volunteer women lo cated in nine Ontario cit ies. Some of the Oakville chapter's initiatives in- elude the May Court Near ly New Shop, which opened its doors in 1957 and is run by May Court volunteers. The shop accepts and sells gently used clothing, accessories, jewelry, shoes, books and house hold items. May Court Club of Oak ville public relations di rector Laurie Lynett said the shop made $110,345 in 2017 and more than $1.6 million since 1957. The money directly benefits the less fortunate in Oakville through May Court supported charities and programs. "That's our big, con stant fundraiser," said Ly- nett. "Everyone who works there is a volunteer. I've volunteered there." Other initiatives in clude a May Court group of puppeteers who edu cate children on aware ness and sensitivity to all types of bullying. The club organizes a Lunch Box Program that provides nutritious snacks to children in 25 schools. The May Court Schol arship Program has also • See LOCAL, page 51 FREE INSTALLATION Limitations Apply. Visit showroom for details. Offer expires May31/18.^ A Custom made Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinetry | Closet Systems Entertainment Units | Basement Renovations | Full Renos and More! C r e a t e Y o u r D r e a m L o o k ♦ 100% Canadian Made Cabinetry ♦ Quality Craftsmanship ♦ 20+ Years Experience ♦ Visit our 6000 sqft Design Centre Units 2-3 333 Wyecroft Rd, Oakville T 905.844.3332 F 905.844.3334 www.aromakitchens.ca | info@aromakitchens.ca LOVE YOU. R u n n i n g a n d w a l k i n g a r e h e a l t h y w a y s t o m a n a g e m i l d t o m o d e r a t e d e p r e s s i o n a n d a n x i e t y . S ig n u p fo r S H O P P E R S LOVE. YOU. Run fo r W o m e n a n d h a v e a n a m a z in g d a y fo r m in d a n d b o d y . R e g is te r t o w a lk o r ru n 5 K o r 1 0K a t ru n fo rw o m e n .c a * _M»T 3 | Oakville B eaver | Thursday, M ay 10,2018 in sid eh alto n .co m mailto:dlea@metroland.com http://www.aromakitchens.ca mailto:info@aromakitchens.ca