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A look at agencies working with Oakville United Way Community _ Living Oakville Provides skill training, support, and job training, as well as, opportunities for perâ€" sons labelled developmentalâ€" ly handicapped to have a meaningful life in the comâ€" munity. Teletouch (Seniors) A daily telephone contact to ensure the wellâ€" being of senior citizens and those who live alone. Big Brothers of Halton Preventative support serâ€" vice for boys ages 6 to 16 from father absent homes. The boys are matched to Big Brothers under the direction and supervision of profesâ€" sional staff. tÂ¥ Thurs., Jan. 27: Oakville Red Cross is holding a Blood Donor Clinic at Towne Chevâ€"Olds from 1:30â€"8:00 p.m. tÂ¥ Mon., Feb. 7: « Oakville Red Cross is holding a Blood Donor Clinic at Hopedale Mall from 2:00â€" 8:00 p.m. tÂ¥ Sun., Feb. 27: Oakville Parentâ€"Child Centre are holdâ€" ing Frosty‘s Fun Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at White Oaks Secondary School. This is a funâ€"filled afternoon of games, crafts and activities for families with chilâ€" dren 2â€"7 years of age. Put your bid in on a signed print of Robbie Alomar, a "little tykes playhouse," a Tim Horton‘s coffee â€" maker and more at the Silent Auction from 11a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at this event. tÂ¥ Sat., May 28: Oakville‘s fourth annual Fun Fit Challenge will take place on the grounds of Appleby College. â€"coming events tÂ¥ Wed., July 20: United Way of Oakville‘s Annual Golf Tournament will take place at Wyldewood Golf and Country Club in Hommby. Up Oakville Parentâ€"Child Centre teaches THE OAKVILLE BEAVER clients how to become better parents The Oakville Parentâ€"Child Centre, is an organization dediâ€" cated to enhancing and supporting the parentâ€"child relationâ€" ship. The Centre‘s programs and services provide parents with the opportunity to share their experiences and to leam more effective parenting techniques. "There are days that I don‘t think I could cope without the Parentâ€"Child Centre," said Sandra who has been involved at the Centre for the past three years. New to the community, Sandra did not have any nearby friends or relatives to support her when her first child was born and, as a result, she felt overâ€" whelmed. A feeling not uncommonâ€"to new parents! "Caring for young children can be very intense, and sometimes it takes someone who has been through it to steer you in a new direcâ€" tion," she said. s Sandra was extremely grateful when she joined the Oakville Parentâ€"Child Centre, after hearing about it through a friend. Today, Sandra regularly takes courses at the Centre, as well as using the parent relief programs offered during the week. The toy and parenting library are also excellent resources and provide parents with access to items which may be beyond their means financially. Ourncompany believesithat "Our parenting programs such as Discipline Without Hassles and Siblings without Rivalry, were developed to address the needs of a broad crossâ€"section of parents in the Oakville community," said Jill Snidal, executive director at the Centre. ‘‘We focus on the issues concerning parents of all age groups of children, from newborns to adolescents. Our goal is to offer parents new techniques and approaches with their chilâ€" dren as well as helping them to build a support network within their community." Daytime parenting and enrichment programs include chilâ€" dren‘s programs which provide care in both preschool and nursery. The preschool program offers many opportunities for creative play and socialization with other children and adults. "It is nice to know that the children are being cared for only a few steps away and that it is not just babysitting; they are being challenged as well," said Sandra. Some days, Sandra may still feel overloaded, but she now has the Oakville Parentâ€"Child Centre to help her make it through. "It‘s a place where children and parents can go, it‘s safe, it‘s creative and the staff are friendly and caring as well," she said. "I think that I am a better parent for going there." under the United Way "umbrella." § such as printing or advertising. ous other agencies. e united way â€" ) of oakville eaches Out... United Way‘s ‘Gifts in Kind‘ exceed ' $45,000 in equipment and services The United Way of Oakville "Gifts in Kind" program was originally set up to collect donated surplus equipment from companies and corporations and distribute it to United Way agencies The program was first developed in the spring of 1993 and has blossomed into an amazing suc cess story. It has since been expanded to include many notâ€"for profit agencies which are no United Way‘s "Gifts in Kind" program encourages businesses to donate items, there by, assisting with the capital equipment needs of notâ€"for profit organizations. Since thesd organizations have access to these donations at no cost, they are able to put their dol lars into needed community services and programs. Gifts include computer hard ware, computer software, facsimile machines, other office equipment and service Agencies and their recipients are not the only ones who benefit. So too dd the companies who donate the goods; it gives them an opportunity to con tribute to the community, and to raise their own profile and visibility. The gifts they make, along with their financial commitment to United Way during campaign, clearly identify them as good corporate citizens! The "Gifts in Kind" program is growing in popularity. To date thd program has distributed goods and services valued at more tha $45,000. Recent donations were made by Marler Kyle, Barrister Solicitors, (pictured at left), Searle Canada Inc., and Canada‘ Wonderland. Recent recipients of "Gifts in Kind" donation include St. John Ambulance, Oakville Waterfront Festival Victorian Order of Nurses, Oakville Family "Y" and numer For more information of the program please contac| Rob Hutchison at 845â€"5571. the way to help the most . . . "The United Way agencies are making an important contribution throughout the year to our lives here in Oakville. I just thought you should know that" Ger van Amersfoort, President, SmithKline Beecham Pharma Jan. 26, 1994 SEARI.E Frac RaiseD _ t SmitnKuimE Beechan The incoming chairman of the United Way‘s 1994 campaign, Ger van Amersfoort, has a message for the people who live in Oakville: "I want to tell you about something you are doing right." In 1993, the United Way continued to have strong growth and support from the community. "The United Way agencies are making an important contribution throughout the year to our lives here. So are you who contribute the dollars, and the companies who support the United Way. I just thought you should know 16. SmithKline Beecham Pharma, a brandâ€"name pharmaceutical company with its head office in Oakville, and its president, Ger van Amersfoort, are wellâ€"known in our community for their strong supporting roles in starting up the Oakville Waterfront Festival (he chaired the steering committee during its inception) and in supporting the Oakville Symphony. The company support for the United Way has also grown in leaps and bounds â€" largely because of a spirited committee running activities that has encouraged more employees to support the United Way to the full extent of their ability to do so. And, when it comes to spirited activities, van Amersfoort shows great enthusiasm in his support. In fact, some who have worked on committees with him in the past have inquired whether in his working life he cleverly disguises himself as a responsiâ€" ble adult! (The answer: most of the time, but the spirit is irrepressible: witness his plunge in a Dunk Tank one fine day last summer, fully clothed in a work suit, tie and shoes, for the company auction at the SmithKline Beecham United Way kickâ€"off!) So you may wonder, what will Campaign ©94 be like? "Just watch," he says. Looking at his past leadership style in volunteer activities, van Amersfoort will likely drive a successful campaign team by working hard with real enthusiasm. ‘United Way agenCies make important contributions sfoort raised the flag of the rival le, at the end of their i 1993. The friendly comâ€" firms raised for the United it last year, and record yee participation. However, when aseball came was held at the the tie, Searle clearly emerged 4 score and delighted in the day at SmithKline kindly donated the use Ger van Amersfoort fll@@fifl@@?flfi%fifl@fiflfli@f@@fi@}mfifim porting: the) United| Way is al sound| investment) _