Piggy Pack Walk to raise funds for Oakville Parent-Child Centre by Bob Mitchell Special to the Beaver 17 | Thursday, August 27, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Mommies and Daddies, start your baby-carrying backpacks. It's time for Halton parents to participate in the inaugural Piggy Pack Walk for the Oakville Parent-Child Centre (OPCC). "We're hoping to raise $10,000," said Brenda McCann, the OPCC's fundraising and community outreach manager. The two-kilometre walk goes Sunday, Sept. 27 and is part of the Oakville HalfMarathon event. Strollers or carriages aren't allowed. Parents must participate with their child in a backpack or carrier. "Parents carry their wee ones around all day, so I don't think walking for two kilometres will be too difficult for them," McCann said. About 3,000 children from newborns to six years of age along with 2,000 parents use one of the four facilities run by OPCC. Families come from all over Halton. "We're hoping many of them will participate," McCann said. "We're also hoping that some local business or local philanthropist will match whatever is raised. That would be absolutely wonderful. "We hope they will share our vision of an inclusive, healthy community where families with young children have a successful start." McCann expects some of the parents to also participate in the overall event, which includes a 5K and 10K walk. Winnie the Pooh and Tigger have already signed up to lead the 2-km walk, McCann said. OPCC is a registered charity, which operates totally on provincial funding and grants. It's the Ontario Early Years Centre for Oakville and a United Way funded agency. It has an annual operating budget of $1.6 million. Most of the programs are free and involved a variety of programs with parents and caregivers participating with their children. There are also workshops and classes where parents alone can meet other parents. There are also programs just for the kids. There is a small charge for programs, such as the Parents and Zumba classes. "A lot of socializing goes on here," McCann said. "We're not a daycare centre. see Participants on p.31 0 with this ad. · FREE GIFT with a service over $15.0 0. · Men or women Haircut only $15.0 extra for wash and blowdry style s with cut & style · 15% off colour, perm & highlight and services! uct prod on s deal re · Lots of in-sto any Exp Aug 29, 2015. Cannot be combined with Salon closed from Aug 30 - Sept 17 ANNIVERSARY DEALS! Hair Studio 1 We're Celebrating Our 15th Anniversary! Nominated in this year's Reader's Selection Awards! OUR SPECIALTY COFFEES Monday to Sunday 7AM to 3PM 146 Lakeshore Rd.W. · Oakville · 905.338.6333 other offer. Book early to avoid disappointment. 2368 Lakeshore Rd. W, Oakville (back entrance) To book an appointment please call 905-469-0344 www.hairstudio1.ca Hairstudio1mn Upon presentation of this original coupon get a 50% discount on a specialty coffee. Choice of cappuccino, espresso, mochaccino or «café au lait». Not valid in conjunction with any other offer. One coupon per client, per visit.Valid from Monday to Friday at Ben & Florentine Oakville. Expiration : October 1st, 2015 50% We write town specific reports ConStruCtion in your future? 905.338.5721 ce Auto Servi · Scheduled Maintenance · Fuel Injection · Computer Diagnostics · Transmission & Clutches Accredited Test · Front & Rear End Work & Repair Facility · Electrical · Windshield Repair/Replacement · Shocks & Struts QEW · Air-Conditioning · Brakes Wyecroft · Tune-Ups JNB · Engines · Tires · Wheel Alignments · Oil & Fluid Changes Weller Ct. Insurance Claims Collision Repair Auto Body & Paint Call Storybook for arborist reports 905-599-6860 You can... pecialists.c s n io t c u d .tax-re Go to www ief video r br to view ou 3.9373 ext. 9 7.70 or call 187 ils eta for more d ner Retire soo s Save taxe x free a t t u o s g s earnin s e n i s u b Get om Auto Body ruS A uSed 0c d 0 An p From $2,0 www.jnbautocenter.com Dorval Dr. 294 Wyecroft Rd., Oakville Monday-Friday 8-5 Saturday 8-1