in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, A ug us t 29 ,2 01 9 | 20 Hover your camera app over this code tmore deals. featuring P WERFUL SAVINGS! with See these deals and more at SAVE.CA Your only destination for more coupons, more flyers, more savings. Products displayed are based on a sample of flyers available on Save.ca as of today's date, and are subject to change based on product availability and each user's location. C A N A D A ' S F I F T Y P L U S N E W S M A G A Z I N E Presented by Groups and Buses Welcome YOU'RE INVITED! FREESeminarsLIVEEntertainment GetinformationonHealth,Housing, Finance,Travel andEntertainment FREE Admission FREE Lootbags FREE Parking (first 750) 905-842-6591 orToll-Free1-800-693-7986 Ext. 740698 (Nancy) EXHIBITORS: For information onhow to showcase your business call Brought to you by Metroland Media Group Make it a day trip to remember - See you there! SundaySeptember8, 201910amto3pm Showafter theShow3pmto4pm Indoors at the ROYALBOTANICAL GARDENS 680PlainsRd.W., Burlington RBGAuditorium Live Entertainment from THE TORONTO ALL STAR BIG BAND PERFORMING : 3pmto4pm Enjoy the Music of DR. J Throughout theDay Throughout the year, community members of- ten ask us how they can best make a difference for students in need. "Is it better to donate clothing and school sup- plies or cash?" At the Halton Learning Foundation, we're grate- ful for this question be-ful for this question be-f cause it reminds us there are so many individuals and businesses in the Hal- ton community who want to help kids who are less fortunate. It's tempting tofortunate. It's tempting tof respond that whether you donate items or funds, you're helping low-income students to succeed. But there are a couple of good reasons some char- ities prefer cash donations to help vulnerable chil- dren and families. Efficiency: Physical donations like clothing and school supplies need to be sorted, transported and distributed, which can take more time than using cash or gift cards to pur- chase only items that are needed. Although in-kind dona- tions may be perfect for some charities, other or- ganizations do not have the space or the resources to facilitate them. For the latter, cash do- nations can be more effi- cient, allowing staff to spend more time raising funds or getting help tofunds or getting help tof those who need it. Suitability: Although people always have the best intentions, there is a good chance the donated supplies are not what's needed. With four growing kids and a minimum-wage sal- ary, Burlington mom De- nise struggles every year to come up with additional funds for back-to-schoolfunds for back-to-schoolf items. "I don't want people to think I'm not grateful for donations, but the down- side is you get what some- one has chosen for you, and they don't know my kids. I still have to pur- chase many things and end up re-donating what we can't use." Personal donations are even trickier. Older kids, especially, just want to fit in, and they may be embarrassed by clothing or backpacks that simply aren't suitable for them. As much fun as it can be to shop for others, when it comes to charitable dona- tions it's always best to check with your preferred charity first to see wheth- er in-kind goods or cash donations will make the most difference to those you want to help. Sherri Armstrong is the communications manager at the Halton Learning Foundation. HLF provides gift cards and subsidies for backpacks and school supplies, shoes and cloth- ing, hygiene items, school lunches and learning opportunities -- whatever a student of the Halton District School Board requires to go to school prepared and excited to learn. For more informa- tion, visit haltonlearning- foundation.ca. OPINION TO GIVE OR NOT TO GIVE GOODS TO A CHARITY CASH DONATIONS MORE EFFICIENT, WRITES SHERRI ARMSTRONG SHERRI ARMSTRONG Column Halton police are inves- tigating after valuables were stolen during a break- in at an Oakville home. Between 6 p.m. on Sun- day, Aug. 4, and 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 5, the rear door of a residence on Bridge Road, near Bronte Road, was kicked in, police said. Loose change, watches and other pieces of jewelry were stolen. No one was home at the time and no suspect de- scription is available. Anyone with informa- tion about this incident is asked to contact Halton po- lice at 905-825-4747, ext. 2216, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Jewellery among items stolen from the home. Torstar file photo VALUABLES STOLEN AFTER REAR DOOR TO HOME KICKED IN DAVID LEA dlea@metroland.com NEWS