A10 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday November 27, 2000 f Couple's challenge could net United Way $ 100,000 Eric & Vizma Sprott will match any increase in leadership giving program up to $100,000 By Wilma Blokhuis OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF '^^NFirst Star's Fam ous[ k'l United Way of Oakville CEO Alison Pickard (left) cheerfully accepts $100,000. chal lenge from Vizma Sprott. Photo by Peter C. McCusker Psychic Ta & Palm Readers. Gifted Psychic, Tarot The World's Only Psychic Museum. Free Lectures & Psychic Demonstrations. Aura Photos, Books, Crystals & More! Fair Oakville Ramada Inn December 1 ,2 ,3 Fri Sat Sun 360 Oakville Place Dr. (Just North of QEW, Exit 118, Trafalgar Rd. - off Iroquois! 1-10 11-10 11-7 For program guide go to: www.e-Psychic.com The United Way of Oakville could be the beneficiary of a $100,000 gift, it's largest donation ever, thanks to the generosity of a local business couple. Eric and Vizma Sprott have told the UWO they will match any increases in the leadership giving program over last year up to $100,000 to be placed in its endowment, The Tomorrow Fund. Any gift of $1,000 or more is con sidered a leadership gift, explains Diane Linden, UWO's campaign director. A donation increased by $500, for exam ple, will be matched by the Sprotts. The more people increase their leadership giving, then the larger the amount the Sprotts will give, up to the $100,000 maximum. First time gifts will also be matched. And, the Sprotts will match increased and first time donations chan neled back to Oakville via the United Way's area wide campaign. Eric is chairman and CEO of Sprott Securities Inc., with offices in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver; and Vizma owns Bookers Bookstore on Lakeshore Road. The Sprotts, who already support the United Way in Oakville and Toronto, were looking for a way to encouraged incentive giving. To date, the $150,000 in leadership donations to the UWO this year include about $40,000 in increased and new gifts, said Linden. Last year, the UWO received $523,940 in leadership donations from 252 donors. The Sprotts will make their donation at the end of the campaign which closes on Dec. 31st. The UWO's Campaign Touchdown will be held on Jan. 18, 2001. M eet th e Team A C O N T I N U I N G SERIES P R O F I L I N G THE STAFF OF " C A N A D A ' S BEST C O M M U N I T Y N E W S P A P E R " Ray Speers has been a member of the Advertising sales and marketing team for the past 4 years. A graduate o f Mohawk College's Advertising program, Ray has an acute knowledge of effective marketing to assist his clients. He has been salesperson of the month in the advertising department a number of times. Ray helped to co-ordinate the 2000-01 VMCA calender book and is actively involved in the marketing o f the soon to be opened YMCA, currently under construction. , Ray services a number A of retail and service clients including the Bronte BIA member ship and the Bronte Butterfly. " The hustle o f this job and daily client interaction make this job very enjoyable. The diversity in tasks makes each day interesting." Ray enjoys graphic design and computers in his spare time. He has participated in the Big Brothers Bowling tournament for the past four years. The Sprott's first experience with a matching donor program was several years ago when the Ontario government was matching donations made to uni versities. At the time the couple, who had been supporting Carleton University in Ottawa, felt motivated to increase their annual giving. "The United Way is absolutely over whelmed by Eric and Vizma Sprotts' generosity and compassion for individ uals in need in our community," said United Way CEO Alison Pickard. "Their donation will create a stronger, healthier Oakville well into the future." Pickard, who notes a growing trend in matching gifts, believes government cutbacks have put a greater onus on the private sector to support health and social services. "Caring and concerned citizens are stepping in where the government has left off. The Sprotts are a prime exam ple of that - and how individuals can make a difference in our community. "I hope the people of Oakville take advantage of the Sprotts' generosity and rise to the challenge." For information about leadership giving, call the United Way at 8455571. O akville Beaver CANADA'S BEST C O M M U N ITY NEWSPAPER 2000 CCN A Better Neiospapers Competition "When we heard about this match ing program we though it was a brilliant idea," said Vizma. "It inspired us to agree to this program when we were asked to be leaders. We have not matched money before." It's their way of giving back to a community which has made them feel welcome. The Sprotts moved to Oakville nine years ago from Mississauga. "Previously we lived in Mississauga," said Vizma. "It was very impersonal there. Oakville is much more person able, we felt it right away when we moved here." In addition to supporting the United Way, the Sprotts support the Canadian Mental Health Association, Women's Centre, Canadian Federation of University Women's Club Scholarship Program, and the Festival of Classics much of it through Bookers. Vizma opened the bookstore six years ago. "We support the United Way because it supports so many valuable charities - little programs which help the people who otherwise might get for gotten. "The people of Oakville tend to pull together. When one individual donates, people start pulling together and every body gets involved." This is the first time in the UWO's history that a donor has stepped for warded and accepted a "challenge match," said Linden. "Some corporations match employ ee dollars," she added, which effective ly doubles the giving. SANTA is com ing to town! Are You Ready? Make Santa look good this year. Come in and see our exciting and unique gift items. BflRBETTE 3 4 9 L a k e s h o r e R d . E. D o w n t o w n O a k v ille 9 0 5 8 4 5 - 6 2 0 I C h r is tm a s H o u r s Fri. Dec. I - C hristm a s in Dow n to w n - 9 :3 0 A.M. Join us for cookies & hot cider. 10:00 P.M. 1 J L V -X / U O ff all G ift Item s V / l l Offer valid until December 23, 2000 D e c e m b e r 2 - D e ce m b e r 23 -- Inclusive Mon.-Fri. 9:30 A.M. - 9:00 P.M. SaL 9:30 A.M. - S:30 P.M. Boxing Day. Wed. Dec. 27th Sun. 12 Noon - 5:00 P.M. Sun. Dec. 24th - Christmas Eve - 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Mercedes-Benz Only available at M eray M otors & Collision Ltd. Q.E.W. at Dorval Dr. 845-6623 Hospital opens new 17-bed unit Halton Healthcare Services has offi cially opened a new 17-bed medical unit at the Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. "It is anticipated that the addition of these beds will assist us in providing patients with timely access to an inpa tient bed," said John Oliver, president and CEO. The additional beds were funded through the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's Emergency Services strategy. Through this initiative, Halton Healthcare Services received $2-million at the end of August for 31 new "transi tional" beds and 10 "flex" beds. Since that time, the area located in the east wing on the first floor has undergone a complete renovation, and aggressive recruitment has taken place to ensure adequate staffing for the opening. The balance of the 31 beds will be available for patient use by mid-December. The 10 "flex" beds are already operating on an as-needed basis. "It is a testament to the quality of individuals we have working here at Halton healthcare Services that this unit is ready for the patients in such a tight time frame," said Nabila Lowe, medical program leader, during a brief ceremony to welcome the first patient to the new unit. Conveniently located on Lakeshore Road, in the heart of Burlington and only steps from parks, shopping and the lake Martha's Landing has been designed for the active senior seeking hotel style luxurious services, in a gracious, safe and secure setting. With only 30 suites remaining, Martha's Landing offers a unique leasing opportunity for the discerning senior. R YOUR APPOINTMENT a FREE lunch. fere are just some o' our residents enjoy: e amenities · State-of-the-Art Life safety systems · 24 Hour Staffing · Nurse Manager to assist residents w ith their own wellness program · Library, Lounges and activities area · Three meals per day served our elegant dining room · Weekly housekeeping & Linen service and more MODEL SUITE 2109 Lakeshore Road, just east of Brant Street. For more information and a personal tour, please contact: Tamra Belontz at -- nM M ni (905) 637-7757