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22 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday July 18, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Families Are Munching got students talking M y name is Michele Moniz and I volunteer with Families Are Munching (FAM). As a student who always considered myself somewhat of an original, I sought a unique volunteer experience, unlike any of the experiential opportunities being offered to my peers at the University of Guelph. My work as an educational communicator for the Halton-based FAM program was a natural fit for me. My involvement with FAM as well as Halton Food For Thought, a program which provides funding for school breakfast and snack programs, began late in 2007. I found out about these programs at the annual volunteer fair held at the Burlington Public Library. Inspired by my initial conversation with the FAM team members, I decided that the FAM program was a place that I'd truly enjoy volunteering. The FAM program is supported by the Choices 4 Health Network and Halton Food For Thought. The program encourages students to invest in their own health by eating more fruits and vegetables as well as by broadening their understanding of nutrition and healthy lifestyles. As a FAM volunteer, I created and delivered inspiring and motivating presentations to Grade 7 and 8 students in Burlington. The presentations focused on the benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables. They also explained how students could become more aware of their own personal intake of healthy food. Handouts were available for students to take home to extend this healthy eating pro- BEST PRICES EVER $ 14 SEER HI-EFFICIENCY 600 OFF WAS 3100 $ 3200 $ 3400 $ 3600 $ CENTRAL AIR NEW CENTRE NOW OPEN 1.5 TON 2 TON 2.5 TON 3 TON NOW 2500 $ 2600 $ 2800 $ 3000 $ 10 Years Parts & Labour Warranty New Gas- R410A Eligible for Government Rebate 8 Locations To Serve You Better! 905-849-4998 *Call Dealer for Details www.aireone.com 1-888-827-2665 gram to their families. Initially, I shared in a common fear held by many students my age; the fear of public speaking. However, the fear quickly dissipated when I began to speak about nutrition. After all, I had been eating, sleeping and breathing nutrition for the past four years. Naturally a quick talker, I felt compelled to cram as much information into the presentations as possible. Yet to my amazement, the students not only listened to my ramble, but got excited, too. Many jumped at the chance to share their experiences in food. When I called for volunteers to act as peer mentors for the rest of the school, nearly half of the students volunteered to create presentations of their own. Developing healthy eating habits provides the greatest benefit when adopted at an early age. With this in mind, it was important for me to successfully convey a basic understanding of a well-balanced diet to as many students as possible. In the end, I can confidently say that no matter how much the students learned from me, I learned a great deal about myself by working with them. If you are interested in learning more about the FAM program for your school or community group, visit www.choices4health.org or call 905-8256000, ext 7801. Choices 4 Health is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion, community partners and the Halton Region Health Department. The Choices 4 Health Network is a community coalition of over 250 individuals and organizations working together to create a Halton in which people achieve optimum health by choosing opportunities for healthy eating, physical activity, good mental health and smokefree living. -- Submitted by Choices 4 Health Open Day Saturday July 19, 10am-3pm Registarion for September 2008 · Ages 2-6 years old · Open Monday - Friday 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. · Nutritious and well balanced snacks & me prepared on site · Large playground area with deck, climber & tricyle path · Gross motor room for inclement weather · 2 kindergarten rooms · Music Classes · Jolly phonics program · Field trips · Fully qualified ECE staff 407 · Transportation to St. Joan of Arc Catholic Elementary School For more information, please phone 905-483-6386 Youths ready to do odd jobs The Odd Job Squad, an initiative of the Oakville Service Canada Centre for Youth (SCCY), has youths ready to help. They can do painting, clerical work, gardening, yard work, pet care, cleaning, manual labour and moving. Contact the Oakville SCCY at 905-3394143 or visit 117 Cross Ave. to post an odd job. Youths can call or visit to sign up for the Odd Job Squad. nto Toro ton amil flH Old Bronte Rd. Little Lords & Ladies Dundas Rd. · N 3065 Old Bronte Road, Oakville L6M 4J2 Conveniently located in a beautiful country setting one minute from 407 and Dundas Street