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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, January 29, 2015 | 24 Martini Madness organizers want to double proceeds by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff Health "Connected to your Community" After last year's inaugural success, the Halton chapter of Crohn's and Colitis Canada is putting on its second annual Martini Madness fundraiser on Feb. 5. "One in every 150 Canadians is living with Crohn's or colitis -- a rate that ranks among the highest worldwide. This means that approximately 1,227 people right here in Oakville are living with these diseases," said Maria Glidden, Crohn's and Colitis Canada southwest development co-ordinator. "Martini Madness is a fun, social evening where our community can show its support for the people they know affected by these diseases. "Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis have become `Canada's diseases' and we need to find the cure for them. By attending this event, you will be supporting all of the more Martini Madness is a fun, social evening where our community can show its support for the people they know affected by these diseases. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis have become `Canada's diseases' and we need to fund the cure for them. By attending this event, you will be supporting all of the more than 233,000 Canadian men, women and children who bravely live with these illnesses every day. southwest development co-ordinator, Crohn's and Colitis Canada Maria Glidden than 233,000 Canadian men, women and children who bravely live with these illnesses every day." The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and includes fare, live and silent auctions, live entertainment from Nightfly, and, of course, martinis. This year, the venue has changed to Budds' BMW Oakville, 2454 South Service Rd. "The event was so successful last year that we want to be able to grow it, and simply need more space," said Glidden. "Budds' BMW is a great local supporter of many causes in Oakville and Halton Region and we are delighted to partner with them this year." Last year's event was sold out with 130 people in attendance, raising more than $55,000 towards the cause. This year, organizers are looking to double the number of those who attend and hoping to surpass last year's total raised. "We wanted to offer a greater opportunity (to attend) to more people this year, so we have more than doubled our capacity and hope to sell out again," said Glidden. "Among our notable attendees will be Dr. Kenneth Croitoru from Mount Sinai Hospital and Lindee David, CEO of Crohn's and Colitis Canada." The proceeds from this year's event will be used "to enhance the efforts of researchers to develop new treatments and find a cure for these serious chronic illnesses," added Glidden. Crohn's and colitis can cause severe and debilitating inflammation in the bowels and digestive tract. Tickets cost $125 each and can be purchased by emailing mglidden@crohnsandcolitis.ca or calling 519-802-2156. For more information, visit www. chronsandcolitis.ca/haltonmartinimadness. Oakville's Smilezone Foundation teams up with Burlington home theatre company A Burlington home theatre company is teaming up with the Oakville-based Smilezone Foundation to help transform the lives of children facing illness, disabilities and physical and emotional obstacles at Ontario hospitals. Formed in 2012, the Smilezone Foundation is a non-profit group that aims to put smiles on the faces of children dealing with illness and other physical difficulties through the redevelopment and transformation of hospital spaces, private centres and other facilities. Through the efforts of Smilezone -- and Burlington's H2 Systems Inc. -- hospitals are getting extensive makeovers to include childfriendly art, play spaces, new toys, and electronics including large-screen televisions, video game systems, and even tablets. "Our goal is to positively impact communities across the country by making it easier for children and loved ones who are dealing with serious illnesses and other difficulties," said Adam Graves, Smilezone co-founder and former National Hockey League player. "I know the difference that a simple smile can make and it's very powerful." Graves founded Smilezone alongside Scott Bachly of Bachly Construction. "The foundation's experience working with H2 Systems Inc. has truly been a pleasure," said Bachly. "It is clear their community contributions mirror their values in business, as they've contributed to the success of our two most recent Smilezone installations." Earlier this week, Smilezone, with the support of H2 Systems Inc., unveiled its makeover for the pediatric oncology unit at the Northeast Cancer Centre in Sudbury, Ont. The renovation to the unit is now equipped with flat screen TVs, video games and other entertainment to help ease the fear and discomfort children can experience when hospitalized. H2 Systems Inc. has also worked directly with Smilezone for another build at the Grand River Hospital in Kitchener, Ont. The company also supported the foundation's second annual celebrity golf tournament in July 2014, which benefitted the Oakville Hospital Foundation in its campaign to equip the new Oakville hospital -- scheduled to open in December of this year. "Giving back to others and the community is something we deeply believe in," said Clinton Howell, founder and owner of H2 Systems Inc. "Smilezone is an amazing cause on many levels and our efforts in working together mean children undergoing cancer treatment have access to state-of-the-art fun zones which they all deserve. "Many of us at H2 Systems Inc. have children and a charity like this touches all of our hearts in so many ways." Isn't It About Time For A Hearing Test??? Come And Visit An Independent, Caring Family Hearing Aid Clinic All Services, Sales, Hearing Tests, Programming, Repairs, Batteries, Home Visits Jennifer Nolan Wendy Caswell Why Do Oakville Families Trust Us with All Their Dental Needs? CosmetiC & Family Dentistry · implants invisalign · Dentures... From start to Finish! Latest in technology, models and styles, blue tooth and accessories. Price ranges from $500.00 to elite levels. Over 25 y of know ears l e and exp dge erience. 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