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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, March 17, 2016 | 16 New monthly donations to KSM will be matched up to $75,000 Anonymous donor hopes to inspire others to give back by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff Kerr Street Mission (KSM) wouldn't be where it is today without the support of volunteers and the Oakville community. The community hub began as a small food share co-operative under the banner of Kerr Street Community Services 21 years ago and was formed with the hope of demonstrating God's love and compassion in practical Lisa Goetze and tangible ways, according to the organization. Today, it provides essential programs and services for families and their children, whether it is through its community dinners, food bank and youth after-school and drop-in programs. Each year, more than 30,000 visitors drop in to access KSM's services. KSM Communications Co-ordinator Lisa Goetze told the Oakville Beaver KSM is appreciative of the overwhelming community support. Without donations, which made up 87 per cent of KSM revenues in 2014, it would not have been able to provide a special holiday for 400 families and individuals last year, provide 1,000 spots for its Summer Day Camp and serve more than 26,000 meals to community members, she noted. Goetze said the Christmas Wonders & Beyond program went so well, raising more than $358,000, KSM had to rent a shipping container because it didn't have the storage space for all the food donations that came in. Money raised during that campaign has also been helping KSM sustain itself over the last few months, as have monthly donations. KSM is encouraging residents to consider making a monthly commitment so it can maintain its program and services and possibly expand its reach. All new monthly donations will be matched until $75,000 has been raised. Late last year, a local family approached KSM and offered to match, dollar-for-dollar, new monthly donations made to the nonprofit in hopes of inspiring others to "make a difference." Goetze said more than $50,000 remains in that matching fund and she hopes commu- Ongoing donations ensure children at the Kerr Street Mission After-school Program (KSAP) are cared for in a fun, safe and caring environment. Pictured here are some of the KSAP participants and high school volunteers.| photo courtesy of Kerr Street Mission nity members will step up to help in whatever way they can. "Even if I think of myself, me as an individual, my small amount isn't going to keep Kerr Street Mission afloat, but my small amount being matched does make a larger impact, so knowing whatever I'm able to give, large or small, it's going to be double the impact automatically because of this matching donation," she said. "So, I think it's a great incentive to think about being generous, however that looks for each person in this town. Some can give a little, some can give a lot and it's great we can all contribute to helping people who need help to get by." To make a donation, visit www. kerrstreet. net, mail cheques to Kerr Street Mission, 485 Kerr St. Oakville, ON, L6K 3C6 or drop by the office. pair of Hearing Aids!!!!* Yes, you read that right. As a thank you for 15 years of service to the Oakville community, we are entering every patient who purchases hearing aids from March 1- Sept 30, 2016 into a draw to WiN your Hearing aids for FRee!!!!! if you or a family member needs hearing aids, you can't do better than FRee!! Hearing Sciences offers a full range of hearing aid options from the invisible to the open fit styles. Compatible with cell phones, remote controls, TV devices. Our unique "Adaptation to Hearing Better" program makes learning to use hearing aids easy and comfortable. *Draw will take place on Oct 7, 2016. 2 pairs of hearing aids will be won. Only private pay patients are eligible. Call WIN a FREE $ FURNACE diAgNostiC spECiAl AR REGUL $99.00 9 locATIoNs To seRve you beTTeR www.aireone.com 49 liMitEd tiME oNlY! Must Present Coupon. Cannot be Combined with other offers. offers A+ RATING (905) 849-4998 (905) 465 3277 to book your complimentary hearing test ($60 value, Age 55+) Oakville 2419 Marine Dr