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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, M ay 26 ,2 02 2 | 28 NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN It's in your hands. The Readers' Choice Awards were created for you to tell us which local businesses and service providers are the best at what they do! Once the nominations close, the nominees will be shortlisted and you will have another chance to vote for your favourite. NOMINATE TODAY to help make your favourite local business become a Readers' Choice Nominee. insidehalton.com The Passion for Parkinson's Foundation is a non-profit orga- nization with the primary goal of funding free creative arts and ex- ercise programs for those living with the disease in Halton and Peel. In May of 2021, the foundation launched Parkinson's in the Park, offering weekly walking, exercise and Tai Chi programs in various Mississauga parks. In September of last year, the foundation expan- ded into Burlington and "based up- on our success and seeing the dif- ference it made to our Parkinson community," the foundation ex- tended its reach into Oakville, said foundation chair Tamara Boaden. Plans include moving into Milton in the near future. "My husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2011 and I have experienced what this debilitating disease does, and understand how important these programs are for people living with Parkinson's dis- ease," said Boaden. "Our biggest goal as a founda- tion is to reach people with Par- kinson's. I think we've really nailed it with Parkinson's in the Park. It gives people such a safe environment to participate in." Examples of therapeutic pro- grams offered include Age Wise Exercise, specially designed to target Parkinson's related symp- toms of balance, flexibility, coor- dination and mobility (Missis- sauga and Burlington) Moving for Wellness to help improve overall movement and mind- body coordination through non- contact boxing, aerobics and stretching (Oakville) and Walk Pole Walk, a low impact cardio session for seasoned walkers or casual strollers which is wheel- chair and walker friendly (Mis- sissauga and Oakville). Painting with Parkinson's is available only in Mississauga. For registration, information, or to donate to the foundation, contact Boaden at registra- tion@passionforparkinsons.org or visit www.passionforparkin- sons.org FREE EXERCISE PROGRAMS FOR THOSE WITH PARKINSON'S WHAT'S ON Eighty-year-old Doug Scott (centre) and fellow participants use exercise bands in the Passion for Parkinson's free exercise program at Millcroft Park. Graham Paine/Metroland The Oakville Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Oakville West have announced the finalists for the 27th Annual Oakville Awards for Business Excellence. • For RBC Royal Bank Large Business of the Year, the final- ists are: Media Resources Inc. Chartwell Waterford Retire- ment Residence Caravan Transportation Group Mercedes-Benz Oakville • For Henderson Partners LLP Mid-size Business of the Year, the finalists are: Expedia Cruises Oakville South Stillwater Capital Corporation • For KPMG Small Business of the Year, the finalists are: Ultimate Pool Service Inc. Oakview Funeral Home TK Events Inc. • For O'Connor MacLeod Hanna LLP Professional Ser- vices Provider of the Year, the finalists are: Iasis Health Management Acorn Family Health and Wellness Centre Bandhu Law Professional Cor- poration • For Young Professional or Entrepreneur of the Year, the finalists are: Nick Davis of the Nick Davis Group Katie Pringle of Marigold Mar- keting & PR • For Lexus of Oakville Ser- vice Industry of the Year, the finalists are: FIORI Oakville COBS Bread Lakeshore Montana's Cookhouse & Bar The May Court Club of Oak- ville Nearly New Shop Kerr Street Café and Catering • For Cogeco Entrepreneur of the Year, the finalists are: Moatassem Moatez of MY- COURIER INC. Tammany Petrie of Everyday Heroes Kids Adrianne Fekete of Star Qual- ity Private Investigations For Visit Oakville Tourism Excellence of the Year, the fi- nalists are: Oakville Festivals of Film and Art Community Vegan Resto Taste of Colombia Fair Trade Coffee & Gift Shop The winners of each category will be announced at a gala din- ner on June 22 at the Oakville Conference Centre. More details about the event will be released at a later date. FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS DAVID LEA dlea@metroland.com BUSINESS