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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, July 7, 2010 · 8 President gives Casino Royale to those in need By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The Oakville Milton & District Real Estate Board (OMDREB) announced Wednesday it will be raising $10,000 to help Habitat for Humanity Halton's (H4HH) new Oakville projecct. The charity was chosen as the OMDREB's first recipient in a new program called the President's Charity of Choice. This program permits the OMDREB president to select a shelter-based organization within the community as the recipient of the board's charitable efforts. "We wanted to do something where we could give back as a group," said Jeff Mahannah, OMDREB president. "In the previous years this was something that we had done and we kind of let it slide and it was something that in my year as president I really wanted to bring back." Mahannah said Habitat for Humanity Halton was chosen as the first President's Charity of Choice recipient because of the important project the organization currently has underway in Oakville. Habitat for Humanity Halton is building two single-detached homes at the corner of Elmwood Road and Margaret Drive for two Oakville families -- one for a single mother with three children and the other for a single mother with one child. During the presentation Anne Swarbrick, the executive director of Habitat for Humanity Halton, stated the need for affordable housing in Oakville is greater than ever. "In spite of all our relative wealth we have 9.7 per cent of the people in Oakville living below the poverty line and throughout the Halton region it's 8.5 per cent of people living below the poverty line," said Swarbrick. "Clearly that means there's a lot of people who have difficulty getting access to housing." Habitat for Humanity Halton estimates that 1,200 Halton residents become homeless each year due to a lack of affordable housing. They also point out the homes provided to families by Habitat for Humanity are not free as the families put in those houses will pay the full market value over time. "It's made possible because of the way we finance the mortgages and the way they purchase those homes," said Swarbrick. "As they pay back those mortgages over time that money goes back into a revolving fund with which we will acquire more land and build more homes for people." KAREN NEWMAN / OAKVILLE BEAVER PRESIDENT'S CHOICE: The Oakville Milton and District Real Estate Board (OMDREB) will host the President's Charity of Choice Gala in November to raise the funds for Habitat for Humanity, which is building two homes for needy families in Oakville. Valerie Ramsay-Brown, OMDREB communications manager and Jeff Mahannah, OMDREB president, uncover the official sign for the gala. Swarbrick said the foundation is these homes are both hard workalready being poured for these two ing people, Swarbrick said, with Oakville homes with construction one mother being employed as a on the homes themselves sched- hairdresser and the other uled to last from July to November. employed as an entry-level clerk in The women who will move into the insurance industry. Despite being employed, neither has been able to escape the cycle of poverty they are trapped in, said Swarbrick. "Thanks to the wonderful support of people like yourselves you can just imagine the impact on their families of having their own homes, being able to grow their own gardens, being able to have their kids invite their friends over to their homes now and not be ashamed," said Swarbrick. "From the bottom of our hearts and theirs, thank you so very much." Swarbrick also thanked the Town of Oakville for making the land for the Habitat for Humanity homes available at prices the charity could afford. The fair market value of the homes, which are largely built by volunteers, is around $300,000 each. Mahannah said to raise $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity Halton the OMDREB will be holding a President's Gala Nov. 12 at the Oakville Convention Centre. The gala, which organizers are hoping will attract 300-400 people, will be black tie optional with a Casino Royale theme. Those interested in purchasing tickets can do so at the OMDREB office at 125 Navy St. For more information, call 905844-6491. Vision ­ To be the most livable town in Canada Mayor's Advisory Group -- Plastic bags and water bottles Tuesday, July 13, 2010, 7­9 p.m. Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road -- Committee Room 2 Ward 6 Town Councillor Max Khan is leading one of the seven Mayor's Advisory Groups (MAGs) created by Mayor Rob Burton to investigate specific issues and seek input from the community. Councillor Khan's MAG seeks input from citizens about ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle non-biodegradable plastic bags and water bottles in Oakville. Everyone is welcome! If you are unable to attend the meeting, but wish to provide your feedback, please contact Councillor Khan at 905-599-0119 or mkhan@oakville.ca. Max Khan Town Councillor 905-599-0119 mkhan@oakville.ca C'mon Oakville... Power Pledge Today! By making a small commitment, you can save money and electricity while helping the environment. Earn 20 Air Miles reward miles just for signing up! Learn how at powerpledge.ca Take the July 10, 9 a.m.­2p.m. July 24, 10 a.m.­2 p.m. July 16, 6 p.m.­ midnight (Centennial Square at Lakeshore Road RETHINK, REPLACE, REDUCE