The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, A pr il 23 ,2 02 0 | 6 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised family of newspapers is comprised f of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca insidehalton@metroland.com facebook.com/OakvilleBeavfacebook.com/OakvilleBeavf @OakvilleBeaver WHO WE ARE VP, Regional Publisher Kelly Montague Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara Managing Editor Karen Miceli Director of Distribution Charlene Hall Circulation Manager Kim Mossman Director of Production Mark Dills Regional Production Manager Manny Garcia Regional General Manager Steve Foreman Halton Media General Manager Vicki Dillane CONTACT US Oakville Beaver 901 Guelph Line Burlington, ON L7R 3N8 Phone: 905-845-3824 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Advertising: 289-293-0620 Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail kmossman@metroland.com or call 905-631-6095. Letters to the editor Send letters to insidehalton@metroland.com. All letters must be fewer than 320 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Published letters will appear in print and/or online at insidehalton.com OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT INSIDEHALTON.COM I hope everyone is keep- ing safe and healthy at home with their loved ones during these unprecedent- ed times. I want to extend my deepest thanks to all essen- tial workers, who do not have the choice to stay at home -- we could not do this without your hard and selfless work. Like many of you, my team and I have been work- ing from home and practis- ing physical distancing. While it is not easy, I am happy to do my part to sup- port our front-line workers by staying home and flat- tening the curve. All levels of government have taken steps to address the COVID-19 outbreak as the situation continues to develop. If you have lost your in- come because of COVID-19, apply for the Canada Emer- gency Response Benefit, an income supplement of $2,000 a month. To apply, visit https://www.cana- da.ca/home.html, and click the link on the main page. The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy was justWage Subsidy was justW passed through an emer- gency parliamentary ses- sion helping businesses and non-profits retain and pay the wages of staff as they continue to operate. These are just two mea- sures introduced to help millions of Canadians. I as- sure you our government is looking into further initia- tives to ensure all Canadi- ans get the help they need. I am proud of the grass- roots work being done in Halton. There is no short- age of organizations re-tool- ing their programs and pro- jects to help the most vul- nerable. From care packages and grocery delivery, to virtual clinics and free counsel- ling, check out the CO- VID-19 Community Sup- ports Directory compiled by the Halton Community Services Directory at http://search.hipinfo.info/ if you need any help or are looking to lend a hand. I continue to send daily e-updates to residents of Oakville North-Burlington -- sign up at www.mpda- moff.ca. This is a difficult time for us all; don't forget tofor us all; don't forget tof reach out to those who may need help. Let's all do our part, and together we will get through it. Pam Damoff is the MP for Oakville North-Burling- ton. LET'S ALL DO OUR PART AND GET THROUGH THIS MEASURES IN PLACE TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY COVID-19, WRITES PAM DAMOFF We have said this be- fore and we will have tofore and we will have tof say it again. Our commu- nity continues to show generosity, support and love -- even in a pandem- ic. Earlier this month, Halton Women's Place reached out and asked for support in a new initia- tive to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and better practice social isolation in a 24-7 facility. We de- cided to close our kitch- ens as per Public Health recommendations. We have seen such great sup- port so far from current and new donors who im- mediately understood why we had to do this. Donations to our meal sponsorship program go directly to the added gro- ceries so our team can prepare meals, purchase catered food and order from local restaurants. from local restaurants. f And thank you to local businesses like Sobeys on Brant Street, Troy's Diner in Milton, McDo- nald's in Milton, Joy No- lan (Royal LePage Mead- owvale Realty Broker- age), Lunch Box Café and Soup Sisters who have all stepped up to help. And to individuals and businesses like Fair- home Interiors who do- nated homemade masks for our clients and stafffor our clients and stafff -- thank you! It takes a community to help a community, and we are extremely grate- ful. ful. f Our June golf tourna- ment is presently post- poned, and we are not sure what is even feasible for fall. We, like all chari-for fall. We, like all chari-f ty organizations, still need to fundraise to make sure we can contin- ue to help the women and children who need our services. Thank you, Halton, for continuing to think of us through this time of self- isolation. We will contin- ue to provide a safe space for abused women andfor abused women andf their children within shelter, on crisis lines and in our community. Thank you for helping us do that through your gen- erosity and support! To find out more about Halton Women's Place, visit www.haltonwomen- splace.com or email cbozzo@haltonwomen- splace.com. To find out more about our meal sponsorship program please visit www.haltonwomen- splace.com/covid19- meal-sponsorship. Carm Bozzo is the development manager for Halton Women's Place. CARING CONTINUES AMID CRISIS THANKS SO MUCH TO ALL THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR WOMEN'S SHELTERS, SAYS CARM BOZZO #CHALKABOUTLOVE Halton Women's Place has started a feel good challenge called #chalkaboutlove, inviting residents to post a photo on social media of artwork or an inspiring message created in their driveway or window. Tag @hagwomensplace, using the hashtag #healthyrelationshipsmatter. Photos can also be sent to your local newspaper to sleblanc@metroland.com. HWP illustration PAM DAMOFF Column "I assure you our government is looking into further initiatives to ensure all Canadians get the help they need." SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT INSIDEHALTON.COM CARM BOZZO Column