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Firefighters kick off annual holiday toy drive Nov. 21 by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff 11 | Thursday, October 29, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com To ensure every child in town has a toy to unwrap this holiday season, Oakville firefighters are kicking off their annual drive Nov. 21. The 23rd annual drive, organized by the Oakville Professional Firefighters Association (OPFFA), will be accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys and gift cards at the 2015 Oakville Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, Nov. 21 and at any Oakville Fire station until Friday, Dec. 18. "Oakville's Firefighters are excited to continue this holiday tradition. We are asking residents and local businesses to help families and children in need," said Chuck Lewis, OPFFA president. "We are committed to supporting our community, and we know that local residents and businesses will come together to bring holiday gifts to every child in our town." All donations will be distributed directly to local families, organizations and community agencies supporting children. "We are so very grateful for the support we receive from the Oakville Firefighters Toy Drive," said Michelle Pommells, Home Suite Hope president and CEO. "The toys provided are one of the highlights of the holidays for the children in our program." The OPFFA is also encouraging community groups and corporations to organize their own toy drives or donations drop-off in support of the Oakville Firefighters Toy Drive. While donations for children of ages are appreciated, the area of greatest need this year is gifts for boys and girls aged 11-16, as donations are traditionally short for this age group. This year, as an incentive, anyone who "Likes" the Oakville Firefighters Toy Drive Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ oakvillefirefighterstoydrive) will be entered into a draw to win a ride to school in a fire truck within Oakville's borders. Donations during the Oakville Santa Claus Parade can be made as local firefighters pass by -- the parade starts at 9 a.m. at the corner of Lakeshore Road East and Reynolds Street, and continues west along Lakeshore and then north along Kerr Street. For more information, including gift ideas, visit www.oakvillefirefighterstoydrive.com. Keep your retirement dollars working for you. Join us for our Open House! See how inspiring education can be! Tuesday, November 17, 9am ­ 1pm Students from Preschool to Grade 12 are invited to tour our 10-acre campus in southeast Oakville during school hours. At St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School, your daughter will get the support she needs to become the confident young woman she is destined to be. Help your daughter Rise & Shine. Register online at www.smls.on.ca today. For more information about our upcoming events and programs, contact us at (905) 845-2386 or admissions@smls.on.ca. Please join us at our Grade 9 Open House on Nov. 27, 9am ­ 3:30pm