C2 -The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday January 22, 2003 Steak-Out aims to surpass $150,000 mark in eight years By Wilma Blokhuis B K A V E R l-'CX V S EI> IT< )R Ealing steak is not only satisfying for (he palate, but also good for the charitable soul. For the past seven years, ET C ET ER A , etc., at Lakeshore and Bronte Roads has hosted Steak-Out for a Good Cause. And. the event has raised more than $123,000 for local charity. This year, restaurateur Eddie Tsang hopes to bring that total up to more than $I5().(XH) from the eighth annual SteakOut. The event starts Monday. Jan. 27. "W e raised $23,000 last year and $27,000 the year before." said Tsang. "This year I aim to hit the $50,000 if everyone maximizes this opportunity." Tsang, in business as owner-operator of ET C ET ER A , etc. - previously Eddie's Place - for 1 8 years, came up with the charitable steak dinner idea eight years ago as a way to beat the winter blahs, promote his business - he had changed the name two years earli- Lions at Oakville Place The Oakville-Trafalgar and Oakville Lions Clubs are hosting a booth at Oakville Place this weekend to create community awareness of Lions International Service Clubs. The booth will be on the lower level in front of Sears on Saturday and Sunday. Jan. 25 and 26. Members of both clubs will be on hand to answer questions about local, provincial and international projects. The Oakville-Trafalgar Lions Club will kick off a new fundraising cam paign that any school or community group can participate in - the collection and recycling of used cell phones. Drop off your old cell phones at the booth and enter a draw to win a 25-inch color television, courtesy of PaceButler Corporation and the Oakville-Trafalgar Lions Club. In addition. Girl Guides will be sell ing cookies. er - and raise some money for charity. It's his way of giving back. " We cannot take things, our success es. for granted." said Tsang. " I asked myself what can we do to help others, and 1 came up with this straightforward simple idea." said Tsang. " I developed and executed this idea to encourage the community to come out during this slow time of the year to become aware of the fantastic facilities which are so accessible around us. to reflect in our good fortune and share our good fortune with people around us." Because Tsang donates the steaks, food preparation and service - with partners Fantasy Fruit Markets which supplies the potatoes and vegetables, and bun supplier O akville Italian Bakery - every dollar collected from the Steak-Out nights is donated to charity. "A s in past years, it's a casual event for everyday people to enjoy a steak dinner for a minimum $20 donation." said Tsang. The charities act as hosts for their designated evenings, collect the dona tions and issue the receipts. Some arrange for entertainment. The charities, and the designated evenings are: O akville Trafalgar. Memorial Hospital. Jan. 27 and Feb. 10: Oakville Y M C A . Jan. 28: Sir John Colbome Centre for Seniors. Feb. 3: Oakville Arts Council. Feb. 4: and Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital. Feb. 11. Each evening w ill have two sittings, 5 and 7 p.m. " Every' penny raised goes 100 per cent to the charities," said Tsang. "The money does not stay in the restaurant overnight." Oakville Trafalgar Memorial and Joseph Brant Memorial Hospitals will put the money raised from their SteakOut evenings towards purchasing med ical equipment; the Oakville Y M C A may put its proceeds towards member ship assistance: money raised for the Sir John Colbome Centre w ill be used Barrie Erskine · Oakville Beaver Cutting into steak and vegetables in preparation for the eighth annual Steak-Out for a Good Cause at ETCETERA, etc., in Bronte, are front from left, Grace DeLottinville, Oakville Arts Council, Eddie Tsang of ETCETERA, etc., and Melaine Ortmann of Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital, and at back from left, Judy Lilly, Sir John Colborne Centre for Seniors; Peter Campbell, Oakville Y MCA; Dannv Mazzilli, Fantasy Fruit Markets, and Aleta Mayer. Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. towards purchasing new furniture; and the Oakville Arts Council w ill put its money into an endowment to promote arts and cultural programs in the com munity and to publicize events in 'Arts About Town.' (Every dollar raised will be matched through the province's Ontario Arts Endowment Fund Program.) Tsang said he can accommodate about 1,000 people for the six-night event, and to date "we already have a couple hundred reservations." Each sit ting can accommodate 170-1 80 people. He encouraged charity representa tives at a recent luncheon to "spread the word to their supporters." Tsang also asked each organization to provide a raffle prize for their evening's events, aimed at boosting the fundraising effort. "Other than the fact that money is raised, all of it going to worthwhile charities, the thing that gives me the most satisfaction is to see signs of togetherness," said Tsang. " Our event has been used by indi viduals and families to socialize, soror ity groups and. co-workers to get together, girls' nights out and compa nies to treat their employees. "I think if everyone gave something back to the community they live in, no matter how small, we will all feel good and proud, and it will definitely make a difference in our lives." concludes Tsang. For reservations, call ET C ET ER A , etc., at 905-827-4121. Fourth annual CARP essay contest for teens The Halton Chapter of CARP. Canada's Association for the Fifty Plus, is holding its fourth annual Intergenerational Essay Contest. The contest is open to all high school students in Halton. Students are required to write an essay relating an experience, or conversation shared with a grandparent or other mature person. Each school may submit what the staff has determined to be the best essay to repre sent their school. Entries arc to be submitted by Mar. 31. The judges will select the first, second and third best entries and prizes of $300. $200 and $100. respectively, w ill be awarded to the authors. This year's judges are Joyce Savoline, Chair of Regional Municipality of Halton; Rev. M. Nancekivell, rector, St. Aidan's Anglican Church, Rev. L. Tadman, rector. St. Phillip the Apostle Anglican Church, Burlington: plus Merna Dack and Ken Laramie represent ing CARP. The three finalists will receive their awards at the chapter's May 28 meeting. The students will be asked to read their essays to members and guests. The students' families, representatives of the staff of their schools and boards of education will also be invited to attend. The objective of the con test is to promote communi cation and developing rela tionships between teens and people of their grandparents' generation. For more information, call Harry Bowers at 905335-5717. Wee Celebration at museum Celebrate the birth of Scotland's greatest poet Robbie Bums and the heritage of Oakville's founding family, the Chisholms, this weekend at the Oakville Museum at Erchless, 8 Navy St. Saturday's celebration is geared towards families and chil dren including performances of Scottish country dance by the children's group of the Erin Mills Scottish Country Dancing Society. Children can make a Wee Bookmark and hunt for Tartan Teddies. There will be Scottish music, food, dancing and fun. Regular museum admission fees will apply. Sunday will feature the Address to the Haggis and readings of Robbie Burns works will be performed by Ian McNicol and Doug Orr. The haggis will be piped in at 1:3() p.m. There will be performances by members of the Tempus Choral Society an Oakville based choir under the direction of Brian Turnbull. There will be an opportunity to try some traditional Scottish fare including haggis, oatcakes and shortbread. Tickets, sold in advance only, cost $5 per person. Call 905-338-4400. WITH 360 S T O R E S , Y O U BETTER MAKE ROOM. Our January Sidewalk Sale makes shopping at Square One, even more convenient. You won't find better selection, all under one roof, anywhere else. And, there's plenty of convenient parking in the new, brightly-lit deck located directly under the Cityside expansion. JANUARY SI DEWALK SALE! Thursday, Janu ary 23rd - Sunday, Janu ary 26th. 24-hr. in fo lin e and d ire c t lin k to stores: (905) 279-SHOP (7467) w w w .to ro n to .c o m /s q u a re o n e Custom iM igw . Custom Finishes, Top Quality Cabinetry, Priced, Free In-Home Sert'ice, I tfetime Warranty H w y 10 & 403 Ontario's Largest Mall 4150 South Service Rd. Burlington 632-0029 mque abinet oncepts w w w .fo re k a 4 y o u .c o m /o n ftfu e c a b /n o ts