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Huron Expositor, 2015-04-15, Page 1212 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, April 15, 2015 Annual fundraiser raises thousands of dollars for Foundation's programs Making dreams come true Mike Beitz Postmedia Network Dreams can come true. But it takes money, dedicated volunteers and plenty of commu- nity support. The Stratford Huron Perth chap- ter of the Sunshine Foundation had all three of those things March 27 at its annual Suitcase Party fundraiser. Some 260 people attended the event at the Mitchell Community Centre to raise money for the organization that makes dreams come true for children with severe disabilities or life-threatening illnesses. "It was fantastic. We had a good night," said Sherri Bell, president of the local volunteer Sunshine chapter. Final numbers aren't in yet, but she said this year's total will hope- fully match what has been raised in the past - about $25,000. This year's Suitcase Party was the 13th annual, and Bell said a more than half of the participants were regulars. "The people who come are fam- ily and friends and neighbours, and they know about the Sunshine Foundation and the good that it MUNICIPALITY OF HURON EAST CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR REPLACEMENT OF STRUCTURE M58 & M60 NOTICE OF STUDY COMPLETIO THE PROJECT: The Municipality of Huron East is planning to replace Structure M58 & Structure M60 located near the intersection of Beechwood Line and Hydro Line Road approximately 6 km northeast of Seaforth, spanning the Woods Municipal Drain, a tributary of the Maitland River (as shown on the accompanying key plan). Recent engineering inspections of the structures have identified advanced deterioration with primarybridge components. Repair of the crossings is not considered practical at this time due to the narrow widths and the extent of structural deterioration evident during the inspection process. At this time, the Municipality is proposing to replace both structures with one larger culvert in a modified location closer to the intersection. Given the close physical proximity of the structures, and the advanced deterioration present in both crossings, this approach was determined to be the most cost effective means of addressing the problem. It is anticipated that the project would be completed during the 2015 construction season, necessitating the closure of the affected sections of Beechwood Line and Hydro Line Road during the construction period. Traffic would be diverted around the project site on existing local roads. THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING PROCESS: The planning for this project is following the environmental screening process set out for Schedule B activities under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) document. The Class EA process involves consultation with the public and review agencies to ensure that the project can be carried out in an environmentally -sound manner. The environmental assessment process has now been completed. There were no negative impacts identified with the project that could not be mitigated. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT: For further information on this project, please contact the project engineers: B.M. Ross and Associates Ltd., 62 North Street, Goderich, Ontario, N7A 2T4. Telephone (519) 524-2641. Fax (519) 524-4403. Attention: Kelly Vader, Environmental Planner (e-mail: kvader@bmross.net). A Screening Report documenting the environmental assessment process conducted for this project will be available for public review at the Huron East Municipal Office (72 Main St. S., Seaforth, ON) as of April 8`h, 2015, during normal hours of operation. If environmental concerns arise regarding the project which cannot be resolved in discussion with the Municipality of Huron East, a person or party may request that the Minister of the Environment make an order for the project to comply with Part II of the Environmental Assessment Act which addresses individual environmental assessments. Requests must be received by the Minister at the address below within 30 calendar days of this Notice. A copy of the request must also be sent to the project engineers at the address above. If there is no request received by May 8th, 2015, the project will proceed as planned. Minister of the Environment 77 Wellesley St. W., llth Floor, Ferguson Block Toronto, ON M7A 2T5 Barry Mills, Public Works Manager Municipality of Huron East This Notice issued April 8th, 2015 does," she said. Continued support from the community, individual donors and generous sponsors is what makes the event a success every year, noted Bell. The Suitcase Party featured entertainment, food and prizes, as well as the chance to win one of six dream getaways. And there was also a special fea- ture this year. "We presented a dream to a little boy," said Bell. Griffin, 10, who lives in Clinton, suffers from severe epilepsy but will have the opportunity to experi- ence a bit of carefree fun with his family on a Sunshine Foundation - funded trip to Disney. The presentation of that dream March 27 was meant to be a mem- orable moment for Griffin, and a reminder to supporters, said Bell. "We just made it extra special for him, and presented it in front of everybody," said Bell, "so that eve- rybody there sees exactly where their money is going, and how it's helping Others who have experienced Sunshine Dreams participated in the event Friday, and one mother spoke about the impact a dream has had on the family after her son's was realized. It's always emotional, said Bell. Since it was founded in 1987, the Sunshine Foundation has fulfilled more than 7,000 dreams for chil- dren across Canada. Heidi Spannbauer, vice-presi- dent of development and market- ing for the Sunshine Foundation of Canada, said more than 100 dreams are granted each year across Canada. And they're all unique, custom- ized and tailored to young dreamers. "Whatever a child dreams for, we will do everything in our power to make every little piece of that dream possible," said Spannbauer. Griffin, for example, particularly wants to chat with Mickey Mouse and hug a dolphin while he's at Disney. Local events like the annual Suit- case Party, which has raised nearly $160,000 to date for the Sunshine Foundation, help to make those dreams come true. More information about the Sunshine Foundation can be found at www.sunshine.ca Submitted Griffin, 10, of Clinton, received a special surprise at the 13th annual Suitcase Party for the Stratford, Huron, Perth Chapter of the Sunshine Foundation March 27 in Mitchell. A a dream delivery was given to the Grade 4 student that night - who's dream is to go to Disney with his family. Making the presentation was committee member Joanne Knechtel (right), along with the Sunshine Bear.