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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, May 18, 2 0 1 7 | 14 I N O F R IL L S ' Community generosity helps KSM reduce debt by Nathan Howes Oakville Beaver Staff 6O ZR A S P B E R R IE S o r1L BT R A Y S T R A W B E R R IE S p ro d u c to fU .S .A .o r M e x ic o ,n o1g ra d e FLYER PRICES EFFECTIVE IN ONTARIO STORES ONLY. THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2017 TO WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2017. (excluding: Geraldton, Kenora & Thunder Bay Ontario) 1 3 nofrillsxa O leg's N oFrills I N O FR ILLS Jf 5 J T fi -- Q E W it C olangelo's N oF rills 125 Cross Avenue 1 3 9 5Abbeywood Drive OAKviLLE The year 2 0 1 3 nearly saw one of Oakville' s m ost heavily relied on charitable organizations close its doors because of an accumulating deficit. In July of that year, Kerr Street Mission (KSM) was on the verge of shutting down within three m onths as it faced a $ 1 1 0 ,0 0 0 shortfall. The debt quickly rose due to the costs of running KSM' s Dream CenUe at 4 8 5 Kerr St., and its programs, which include a food bank, after-school and pre-natal education and support programs, a sum m er cam p for youths and more. The financial burden shrunk, however, n ot long after w ord got out of the charity' s predicam ent and the m oney began pouring in. Then another problem arose. The construction of KSM' s new facility, while it has helped increase the capacity to provide programs, created debt from its mortgage, forcing the charity to carry a loan at a six per cent interest rate -- owing $ 2 million at the start of 2 016. But, KSM remains open to this day and has reduced its mortgage by m ore than 5 0 per cent, thanks to the support of the community, whose Gary O'Neill mem bers stepped up in a significant way In 2 0 1 6 ,1 0 local families donated m ore than $ 1 million to reduce KSM' s mortgage debt while m any m ore donors helped the charity cover its operational costs. see Every on p.15 Reignite Your Passion From Within! Thursday, M a y 25, 2:00 - 3:00 pm As our lives change, we may lose that sense of control that defines who we are and w ith it, some of our enthusiasm for life. We may begin to lose some confidence along the way. Experienced life coach and dynamic motivational speaker Rosita Hall, will share how to gain back your confidence, shake off the negativity and lethargy that can accompany life's challenges. Get energized and get focused - rediscover your passion! This special e ve n t is FREE and w ill be hosted a t The Glen A b b e y U nited Church n e xt d o o r to D elm anor Glen Abbey. Space is lim ite d ! RSVP (905) 469-3232 1469 Nottinghill Gate, Oakville TRIDEL D e lm a n o r W elcom es Your Pet DELM ANOR Glen Abbey Inspired Retirement LivingTM