8- The Oakville Beaver, Friday August 25, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Anonymous donor makes dollar-for-dollar pledge Continued from page 1 added cost of $343,000. That's the fundraising goal set by the citizen-run Woodlands Oak Tree Preservation Committee. To date, it has raised just under $30,000, said Young, who noted people now have an added incentive to give to the cause. "People know now that every dollar they give us will be match-funded by a private donor," said Young. "It's incredible." The Toronto-based benefactor, who wishes to remain anonymous, read about the save the tree campaign in a Toronto newspaper. "She told me she thinks it's an important cause, and she likes to put her money to good use," said Young, who added she lives in Toronto, but does own property in Oakville. The reason the donor is proposing the dollar for dollar pledge is to encourage others to pitch in to save the old oak. "She said, `That way, from my $150,000 you should be able to generate $300,000,'" said Young. "It's awesome, it brings us within $43,000 of our goal." It also means the committee's fundraising would be almost cut in half. "This is such wonderful news," said the committee's other co-chair, Joyce Burnell. "It makes me feel so good that other people in the community value and respect all that this tree represents and that this generous benefactor has the financial means to support this important piece of history." Young earlier this week received the donor's pledge in writing. "It's just incredible, it's such an amazing contribution to our campaign," he said. "It's pretty nice for somebody who lives in Toronto to care about a big tree in Oakville." But as they've discovered, people from as far away as Denmark and Ireland have sent funds to help save the tree. "It's been $20 or $50 donations, but the response has been great," said Young, who added the committee's new goal is to raise the additional $125,000 necessary to maximize the anonymous $150,000 pledge. The Woodlands Oak Tree Preservation Committee is looking to grass roots and corporate donors to continue giving their support to save the oak tree. For information on how to donate to the Save the Tree Fund, visit www.halton.ca/savethetree or call Jim Young at 905-844-5000. BARRIE ERSKINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER CAMPAIGN BOOSTER: A campaign thermometer has been posted by the endangered 250-year-old white oak to help encourage donations. A IN INSTALLorBLtails e D N O F Call E FREATION LL DS ALL WIN YOUR D NEE OW DS Oakville's Newest Gallery of Window Fashions HUGE SELECTION OF CUSTOM MADE DRAPERY BY: % OFF FABRICS · MAXWELL · EQUUS · FABRICUT · 3 STAR · ANTEX · NORBAR · ALENDEL · DECTEX · CAYA/PRIDE OF PARIS SNS sale Shades 30 UP TO 50% OFF M.S.R.P. `N' Shutters 276 Kerr Street, Oakville 905.257.2692 TRUST OVER 35 YEARS OF SATISFIED CUSTOMERS! STORE HOURS MON-THURS:10AM - 5PM FRIDAY:10AM - 6PM SATURDAY:10AM - 3PM SUNDAY: CLOSED FREE PARKING AVAILABLE AT REAR OF STORE Huge Selections CALL FOR COMPLIMENTARY SHOP @ HOME SERVICE Latest in Window Coverings