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< c j§ S C U R R EN TPO W ERM A C H IN E R YIN C . (2 block east o( Southdown Road mClarlisonl 1661 Lakestore Rd. W . Mississauga U t M tU QOO A O i i Editor. Wilma Blokhuis Phone: 905-845-3824 (ext. 250) Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: blokhuis@haltonsearch.com W K D N 1 1 S I ).\Y I I I M U W R Y 2 7 . 2 < n y j · P ;k > c B l FOCUS^- A beautiful landmark amaety _ ofoing a l i i raneeofsoviets including traditiona! enxinj intctment. indent m ausolea 2 nd Oakville'sonly atmation annt h r Junto mfimiuM a ll or visa l. O b * 905-257-1100 Knd> Unci Dunk S www.glcnoaL.u Soonsor Official Media Sponsor Big Brothers of Halton says thanks By Wilma Blokhuis BEAVER FO C U S EDITOR " I'm not sure I can convey how important Peter has been to our family. He has been an incredible Big Brother fo r my son Andrew. "Eleven years ago. when Andrew was five years old. his father died. Needless to say. Andrew was an angry, sad little boy. "I went to Big Brothers soon after to apply (for a Big Brother). "Andrew was in great need. The family was in great need, as Andrew and his brother's need fo r a male com panion in their lives increased daily as they tried to deal with the trauma o f the loss o f their father. "Within weeks o f Andrew's sixth birthday, Peter and Andrew were matched. Peter was there. He was there fo r Andrew, and although he may not have known it, he was there fo r all five o f the children, as they would all rush down to say hello when he arrived to pick up Andrew and hover around as they left to go out. "Within weeks Peter and Andrew were buddies and have been ever since. Peter has been to every one o f Andrew's Christmas concerts and has come over every Christmas morning fo r the last 10 years. Peter was at Andrew's First Communion, and stood fo r him at his Confirmation. They have hiked to who knows where. Peter hasn't gotten a new car without Andrew's input, and they have tom down and rebuilt more o f Peter's house than you'd think was pos sible. Peter is a very important part o f Andrew's life. Some o f the stories these two could tell o f their adventures show how much the two o f them are the best offriends. "The most important thing I want to say is to you, Peter, the time, interest, caring and love you have given Andrew over the last 10 years are irreplaceable. You have had a huge impact on who he is today, and how successful he is today. " Thank you fo r being there fo r him all these years. Thank you fo r being there fo r the rest o f my children as I know they have looked to you fo r knowledge and guidance as well. You are the best Big Brother." This letter, from a parent, is about Big Brother Peter Cahill. It was read at last week's Big Brothers of Halton Celebration at the Burloak Canoe Club. Awards. Cahill was among several volunteers hon oured. and sponsors thanked. The vol unteers were the first to be recognized. Cahill, and two others, Flavio Koloric and Graham Wardrop, all of Oakville, received 10-year pins. Wardrop is a past-president of the Big Brothers of Halton. Koloric also received a Special Recognition Award for 'going above and beyond' what's expected from a Big Brother. The award caught Koloric by sur prise. A Big Brother for 11 years, Koloric wondered why Shawn. 10, his Little Brother for the past four years, was at the awards dinner. "I should have known something was up when I saw Shawn there, and not too many other Little Brothers." he said. "I found out about this event only two days ago," Koloric said in accept ing the award. "I'm shocked, surprised and absolutely speechless." In naming him the winner of one of the two Special Recognition Awards, Big Brothers' Executive Director Evelyn Rea said Koloric is more than a Big Brother to Shawn. She let Koloric's Little Brother do the talking. "He's my hockey coach, takes me swimming, he's taken me to Leaf, Jays and Raptors games - he's really cool," said Shawn. "He takes me to my 6 a.m. hockey practices, takes me pleasure skating, sponsors my hockey team, and we spend time together because it's cool to have an older guy just to talk to." Peter C. McCusker · Oakville Beaver Big B rothers G ra h a m W ard ro p , Flavio K oloric and P ete r C ahill (from left), received 10-year service aw ard s from Big B rothers of H alton. K oloric, cen tre, also received special recognition for going `above and beyond.' Shawn is Koloric's second Little Big Brother is very enjoyable, not only for me but for the child as well. I find Brother. "I was out with my first Little myself doing a lot of things I didn't Brother who just celebrated his 21st expect to do." birthday. We still keep in touch. And. The other Special Recognition hopefully, Shawn and I will keep in Award went to Scott Allonby. who touch long after I've been his Big recently moved to Toronto from Brother for the next 10 years." Oakville. He has been a Big Brother for Koloric got involved with Big Brothers "when my daughter told me to three years. Volunteering with a Little Brother is get `get a life,'" he said afterwards. "When I first started with Big Brothers, "a great way to spend an afternoon - or I didn't know what to expect. Being a a day. It's an absolute pleasure." "Scott is a great part of my life," said Matt, his 14-year-old Little Brother. "He's been my role model for the past three years. He's a great role model for me because I grew up with out a father. He's like a father figure to me." Both Koloric and Allonby have raised thousands of dollars for Big Brothers, sponsoring teams in the annu al Bowl for Kids Sake and Appeal Spiel fundraisers, providing hole sponsor ships in the Big Brothers golf tourna ment - and recruiting teams and indi viduals to participate in these events. The dedication of a Big Brother goes beyond providing companionship. "Through no legal obligation or bio logical bind they (Big Brothers) give of their time and their hearts to improve the chances of kids in our community," said Lee Shepherd, the agency's case manager for the past 10 years. "When a boy comes into service I visit with his mom to discuss with her what her expectations are surrounding the program and what she hopes her son will get out of Big Brothers. "Usually the response involves something along the lines of `I just want an opportunity for my son to get out and do some guy stuff.' "Once I have matched a child I review that match at about the threemonth stage and we discuss what type of things they have been doing togeth er," said Shepherd. (See 'Community partners . . .' page B3) UPS grants $30,291 to Big Brothers Big Brothers o f Halton received a special delivery recently, a $30,291 Community Investment Grant from UPS - United Parcel Service. The Big Brothers of Halton is one of eight non-profit social service agencies to share in $185,000 in funding given as a result of employees providing more than 840 volunteer hours. Putting his prepared speech aside, Marty Smith, director o f human resources for UPS Canada, spoke from the heart in accepting his company's recognition from Big Brothers of Halton at Wednesday's awards dinner at the Burloak Canoe Club. "I can tell you that I benefited in my early years from Big Brothers, and it's made a large difference to me." As a young boy, he had a Big Brother for about four to five years. Smith talked about giving back to the community. "As part o f our corporate culture, we have a responsibility to give back to the communities we work in." UPS, in business for 95 years, has developed a two-fold corporate com munity program "which gives us the ability to give money and involve our employees." Employees must give at least 120 hours o f volunteer time to a particular agency before drafting a funding pro posal, Smith explained. UPS employee Navine Roy is a Big Brother. He was matched with nineyear-old Brandon. "He waited almost two years, and the wait was worth it." states a letter from Brandon's mom. "Brandon says Navine's his best friend. He wishes that everybody on the waiting list gets as a Big Brother as nice as Navine." Peter C. McCusker · Oakville Beaver Big B ro th ers o f H alton Executive D irector Evelyn Rea accepts a $30,291 cheque from N avine Roy and M arty Sm ith of UPS. Roy, a Big B rother, pro posed UPS fund the agency a fte r volunteering 120 hours as a Big B rother. Ontario Salon Team of t he Year Our winning look begins with a classic cut that's texturized to create excitement and versatility. Dimensional colour is introduced in local areas to emphasize and personalize the style. For your winning look call for an appointment at any one of our 4 locations. An intim ate facility designed fo r w om en, by w om en. BE PAMPERED I BE SPOILED | GET FIT Dear Female Fitness and Spa Enthusiasts: venere SALON & SPA NEW LOCATION I am very pleased and excited to present Oakville's newest five star ladies' only fitness & spa facility. Our original Women's Club opened in August 1998 in the Trafalgar Village Mall, and over the last several years our membership base has grown at such an overwhelming rate. We are just delighted that we are able to service so many members and provide women with a comfortable environment in which to achieve their fitness and wellness goals. As a result of this success, we are now opening our new bigger and better location just for you. Our latest Club currently being built in the New Redeveloped Trafalgar Village Mall is slated for a March 2002 Grand Opening. From the moment you enter the front door and step inside, you'll know that this Club is unique and special. Designed by the internationally acclaimed team of Yabu Pushelberg, the interiors are both luxurious and serene. The perfect club environment. You'll be proud to be a member. You'll be proud to bring your friends - but that's just for starters. From our exciting fitness class schedule, luxurious Spa, extensive Health Centre, Childcare Centre and a staff of the best accredited fitness professionals. The Women's Club covers every aspect of getting and staying fit no matter what your age or shape, for the beginner to the fitness fanatic. Every woman should be given the opportunity to exercise their mind and body in a friendly and motivational environment. This Club is private, it's personal and it's yours! Please join me in celebrating the pre-grand opening of our new Club and take advantage of our incredible Pre-Grand Opening Special Offer. The Women's Club - where success is measured by how good you feel! Yours in aood health. 1122 Dorval Drive, Oakville 905 .847.1222 AVED A. Toronto · 4 1 6 .3 8 3 .1 6 1 6 M ississau ga · 9 0 5 .8 58 .9 76 4 Burlington · 9 0 5 .3 19 .8 8 5 4 Jo in before M a rch 1 5 /0 2 a n d receive c_ Elda Curkovic, General Manager m e m b e r s h ip /O O FF T ra fa lg a r V illa g e M a ll -- 125 C ro s s A v e n u e , O a k v ille CAREER O PPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE 13051 8 4 9 -9 6 9 6