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

KSM ready for Coldest Night of the Year By Nathan Howes SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Kerr Street Ministries' (KSM) new executive director brings experience to the table and a desire to help those who need it. Long-time Oakville resident Gary O'Neill took over the helm of KSM at the start of the year. He brings more than 18 years of experience in sales, marketing, training and performance improvement for various Fortune 500 companies in the pharmaceutical industry. "As a new person coming into this role, I have really been overwhelmed by how people have reached out and offered their help, wanting to contribute and make Oakville a better place," said O'Neill. Along with his wife and three children, O'Neill is actively involved in the community through church, amateur sports and school activities. O'Neill took the position at KSM after speaking with its board of directors and discovering he was a "very good match." "I had been connected to Kerr Street Ministries since it first opened. I was very familiar with people who had worked and volunteered here. One thing led to another and here I sit," said O'Neill. While he said he will take time to explore KSM's programs, the needs of the people in 3 · Thursday, February 14, 2013 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com GRAHAM PAINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER / @halton_photog NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER Year Walk set for Feb. 23. Helping out was, top left, Oakville Mayor Rob Burton, centre, flanked by Ward 2 Councillors Pam Damoff, left, and Cathy Duddeck, right. In back, with toques and scarves promoting the walk, from left, Ward 1 Councillor Alan Johnston, Ward 5 Councillor Marc Grant, O'Neill, Ward 4 Councillor Allan Elgar, KSM's Dave O'Halloran, Ward 1 Councillor Ralph Robinson, KSM's Katie Jones and Ward 3 Councillor Dave Gittings. the community and determine the organiza- that serve the hungry, homeless and hurting Last year's event raised $30,000. This year tion's identity in the community, O'Neill is in cities across Canada. KSM hopes to bring in $50,000, which will already heading up a significant piece of "The Coldest Night of the Year is a great be divided amongst numerous programs. KSM's awareness campaigns through its opportunity to remind people winter can be a O'Neill said the biggest challenge he faces Coldest Night of the Year 5k and 10k walk. really hard time. There is poverty in Oakville is making Oakville residents aware of how Set for Feb. 23, the winter-walk fund- and we want Oakville to come together and many people are struggling. See KSM page 5 raiser supports select Canadian charities show people we care," said O'Neill. bundling up for a cause: Kerr Street Ministries, headed by Gary O'Neill, top right, held a kickoff for the 2013 Coldest Night of the 60th Anniversary RECLINE IN STYLE SALE STARTS FEB. 19TH MANY STYLES FABRIC OR LEATHER STORE CLOSED for VACATION Re-Open Feb. 19th Furniture & Home Decor www.swissinteriors.com | 905-844-3530 217 Lakeshore Rd. E., Downtown Oakville