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

Beaver THE OAKVILLE Voted Ontario's Top Newspaper Four Years in a Row - 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com OUT OF INK? REFILL AND SAVE UP TO 60% Return engagement for Opera tenor ARTSCENE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2009 Upper Oakville Shopping Centre (Upper Middle & 8th Line) 905-842-5600 CELEBRATING 26 YEARS! Between Kerr & Dorval YOUR FRIEND IN THE BUSINESS 175 Wyecroft Rd. Oakville 905.845.6653 www.lockwoodchrysler.com A member of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Vol. 52 No. 153 "USING COMMUNICATION TO BUILD BETTER COMMUNITIES" 48 Pages $1.00 (plus GST) Carrying a torch for the Olympics Local torchbearers running near and far By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Christmas cheer Salvation Army kettles half empty By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF It's the next best thing to being an Olympian. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They dress for the weather, then don their Olympic suit. They venture outside, feel the sting of cold on their cheeks and know what their goal is. They shuttle to their appointed destination -- official participant number in hand and butterflies in their stomach. Then it's upon them. They're carrying the Olympic Torch destined for the 2010 Winter Games -- as athletes have done for hundreds of years across the globe. The smiling faces and hollers from family, friends, neighbours and strangers cheer them on. Each has a different reason for being there. All say it's awesome to be part of the cross-country relay. They're Canadian. It's about pride, achievement and something more, something intangible that is very real. See Olympic page 7 Oakville's Salvation Army is struggling with its annual Christmas Kettle campaign. "We are currently experiencing a major shortfall of donations," said Aisha Chaney, community services co-ordinator for the Salvation Army, Oakville. In fact, the campaign has not even reached the halfway point and has only six days to go. "We are struggling to reach the halfway point of our goal and have only six campaign days remaining," admitted Chaney. "This campaign is our largest fundraising effort of the year as funds will be used to provide the complete operation of our Community & Family Services Ministry for 2010. All funds stay right here in the community," said Chaney. The annual Kettle Drive began in late November. Nine kettle locations are operating daily until Christmas Eve. "All money raised goes towards the Salvation Army's Community & NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER Family Services for programming and direct service to those in need in SURPRISE: Evaline Hofstra got a surprise visit from Santa Claus at the Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital on our community," said Chaney. Wednesday as part of the Oakville Firefighters Association's annual visit. The firefighters and Santa bring toys and Kettles are operating at Oakville cheer to the young and elderly patients at the hospital. See Donations page 2 Tile selection made enjoyable! Factory Tile Depot www.factorytiledepot.ca