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36 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday December 26, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Local groups cash in on Trillium grants A half-dozen organizations that serve Oakville and Halton residents have received more than $600,000 in grants between them from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. In all, 26 community groups in the Halton and Peel regions will benefit from $3.28 million in money provided by the board of directors of the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The funding is intended to meet local needs in the arts and culture, environment, human and social services, and sports and recreation sectors. "Investing in our charitable and not-for-profit sector has paid high dividends in our community," said Lindsay Williams, grant review team chair of the OTF. "OTF funding plays a tremendous role in financing improvements to community facilities and helping organizations build their capacity, train volunteers and expand their programs," said Williams. The OTF is an agency of the Ontario government. Its annual funding was boosted to $105 million from $100 million in 2007 and will be increased to $120 million in 2009-10. The enhanced funding has resulted in an increase to the maximum amount available for capital grants and the creation of a $2 million Future Fund, which will focus this year on strengthening the impact of organizations working on environmental issues. The following groups received OTF grants to enhance services in Oakville and Halton: · Lighthouse Program $216,000 over three years for computers, training supplies and staff to strengthen and expand the organization's peer-support program for their surviving parent/caregivers in Halton. · Burlington Choral Society receiving $6,600 over one year for materials, tools and instructors to support music learning activities for the choir and improve performances. Outreach will also be conducted to attract audiences to high-quality choral concerts in the local community. · Autism Ontario - Halton Chapter c/o Autism Society Ontario - $150,000 over three years for equipment and services to enhance the administrative capacity of the group and strengthen its ability to expand services and provide support to families of children with autism in Halton. · Circle of Friends for Seniors Project c/o Alzheimer Society of Hamilton and Halton -- $75,000 over two years to develop and pilot a new collaborative, volunteer-based model of respite care services for seniors with memory impairments across organizations in Hamilton and Halton. · Halton Youth Symphony - $10,900 over two years to offer a richer and more rewarding experience for members and audiences by providing coaching and purchasing new music for the Oakville-based youth symphony. · Transracial Parenting Initiative c/o Halton Multicultural Council Inc. $150,000 over three years to create and test an educational program for Halton families fostering and adopting children from a different race or culture. For more information about OTF programs, visit www.trilliumfoundation.org. New Year's Party! Wed. Dec. 26 to Mon. Dec. 31. While quantities last! Redeem your $20 money card with every $50 you spend now through January 9. Limit one card for every $50. Details in store 50 75 9 4 $ 99 % Christmas CLEARANCE All Christmas and spa gift basket sets, Christmas ornaments, towels, dinnerware, table linens, wreaths, cushions, storage, and coir mats. Riedel Martini Set 2499 Reg. $49.99 50 75 %- % % Trudeau Top Hat Fondue Reg. $39.99 Parent info evenings Parents of Grade 8 students are invited to attend Information Evenings in the new year. High School Information Evenings are scheduled during the month of January to provide an opportunity for parents to find out more about high school education. These Information Evenings are for parents of students who will attend Grade 9 in September 2008. Discussion topics will include an overview of the Grade 9 program, services for students and diploma requirements. Dates for the Information Evenings are as follows: · Abbey Park High School ­ Thursday, Jan. 17, - 6:30 p.m., 905- 827-4101. · Iroquois Ridge High School ­ Thursday, Jan. 17, 6:30 p.m., 905-8450012. · Oakville Trafalgar High School ­ Thursday, Jan. 10, 7 p.m., 905-845-2875. · T.A. Blakelock High School ­ Thursday, Jan. 17, 7 p.m. 905- 827-1158 · White Oaks Secondary School (South campus) ­ Thursday, Jan. 17, 7 p.m., 905-845-5200. Parents should attend the information evening at their home school (the school designated for their community). To find out which is their designated high school, parents should refer to the Halton District School Board website at www.hdsb.ca, "School Information", then "Find a School". WHITE EVENT on now! * 50 99 % 50 % *Second item must be of equal or lesser value · All pillows · All towels · All throws and blankets · All storage · All art and mirrors · All window coverings · All House & Home and Wamsutta sheets More great savings in store! Market Square 12 pk wine glasses Reg. $9.99 · All Blenders · All flannel sheet sets · All fleece sheet sets · All Bella Cucina and Back to Basics small appliances · All velvet furniture 20 50 % 65 % Perfect for party drinks! · Aerobed Classic Plus Great for sleepovers! Wolfgang Puck 10 pc Cookware 75 Chef Phillipe % 99 each. Reg. $19.99 19999 Reg. 599.99 4 Your choice · Roaster Set · 4pc Platter Set · Cutting Board Set · 10" non-stick skillet · Gravy set IMPORTANT CUSTOMER INFORMATION: SELECTION & BRANDS WILL VARY BY STORE: All colours, patterns and styles may not be available in all stores. Blankets are not available in the following locations: Windsor, London, Queensway, Kelowna & New Westminister. RAIN CHECKS AND SUBSTITUTIONS: If an advertised item is not yet available we will offer you your choice of a comparable substitution, (if available), or a rain check. In some instances (e.g. special purchases, power buys, clearance items, bonus with purchase or seasonal items) quantities may be limited, selection may vary by store and substitutes or rain checks cannot be given. When you see "POWER BUY" you will know we have found an exceptional deal to pass on to you. We may tell you the COMPARABLE VALUE on the price ticket and/or a sign, so you will see the price another retailer in Canada charges or would likely charge for the same or a comparable value item. Quantities of our Power Buys are limited and may vary from store to store. No rain checks or substitutions. See in-store for details. 11-5H All prices in effect Wednesday, December 26th, 2007 to Monday, Dec 31th, 2007, unless otherwise specified.