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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-09-03, Page 3Wednesday, September 3, 2014 • Huron Expositor 3 Making a splash for a great cause Whitney South Huron Exposftor Causing a stir across North Amer- ica, the ALS Icebucket Challenge made its way to town the week of Aug. 25, with several organizations, businesses and individuals taking part right here in Seaforth. The Seaforth Cooperative Chil- dren's Centre (SCCC), Maplewood Manor and Meridian Seaforth branch all took the plunge, while col- lecting money for the cause. For Leigh Anne Van Aken, infant teacher with the SCCC, raising money and awareness for ALS was something that meant a lot for her personally. "About five years ago, my mom passed away from ALS," she explained. "She had dementia also, and throughout that she ended up contracting ALS, so it's a pretty spe- cial charity for me. After her niece nominated her for the challenge, Leigh Anne felt she wanted to do even more, and organ- ized a walk in her mother's memory on Aug. 30, in front of Bayfield town hall. "I thought it would be a nice idea to have a nice afternoon and raise some awareness. Have a little donation jar and see what we can do," she said. "A lot of people even now, when you say ALS they don't know what it is. It's about the money, but it's also about teaching people what it is and what they can do to help:' When Melanie McGrath, personal support worker at Maplewood Manor, started talldng about the Ice - bucket Challenge with her cowork- ers, it was mostly for laughs. "At some point it stopped being a joke and we started planning," she said. "We got a hold of Sam, the owner, and he loved the idea:' The home's maintenance man Frank got to work building a water - dumping machine, so three people could participate at a time. "The residents though we were crazy at first I'm sure," Melanie laughed. "I know they had their doubts, but I think they were excited at the prospect, nearly every resident came out to watch and a few would've likely dumped water on themselves:' With a starting goal of $110, Maple- wood staff and residents ended up pulling together almost $300 for the cause. But, for Melanie, getting a chance to see so many people come together for a common goal was just as rewarding. "I was so proud of how many staff members came out to do it," she said. "They came from all departments and levels; management, PSWs, cooks, maintenance and even our nurse. A few staff members' kids got involved too:' For those lucky enough to be found on Main Street the afternoon of Aug. 21, staff at Meridian's Sea - forth branch served up a soggy spectacle. Cherry Hoste, branch manager, along with regional director Sue Ben- nison, took to the street for their challenge, briefly stopping traffic. "Our CEO did it and so it was posted on the Meridian website," Cherry said. "The branch thought it would be really funny for me and Sue to get wet and not them, they're pretty smart!' Most of the Meridian executive leadership team had already partici- pated, so it was up to the pair to rep- resent the staff at Seaforth, still dressed in business casual. "We all know the regular things people donate money for, you always hear about cancer and stroke," Cherry said, explaining why she felt it was worth taking the icy plunge. "This was a great way to get aware- ness out there since ALS isn't some- thing that's commonly talked about. And I love that people are making donations anyways:' SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION 2014 Municipal Elections Act, 1996 For the HURON -PERTH CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD Nomination for the office of school board trustee One (1) person to be elected to represent the electoral district of the Township of Perth East, Municipality of North Perth and Municipality of Huron East Nominations/Registrations may be filed during regular business hours at the office of the Clerk for the Municipality of Huron East, 72 Main Street South, Seaforth, Ontario NOK 1WO, until Friday, September 12th, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Nomination/Registration papers and full particulars may be obtained at the Municipal Office. A signed consent to the nominations, a declaration of qualification by the candidate, the $100.00 filing fee (cash, money order, certified cheque or debit machine) and identification of the candidate are required. Electors are hereby given notice that if a greater number of candidates are certified than are required to fill the said offices, an election will be held. Voting Day will be Monday, October 27th, 2014. Please be advised that no person who proposes to be a candidate may solicit or accept contributions for election purposes, or incur expenses until that person's nomination has been filed. Dated this 3rd day of September, 2014. Theresa Campbell Clerk Township of Perth East Pat Berfelz Clerk Municipality of North Perth Brad Knight CAO/Clerk Municipality of Huron East Paul McGrath, for the Expositor Staff at Maplewood Manor take the plunge Aug. 26, to the delight of their many residents. Here, Gayle Timm pulls the lever on Carolyn Schiestel, Melanie McGrath and Katie Laliberte. Affecting around 3,000 Canadians, ALS is a progressive neurodegenera- tive disease which affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, causing motor neurons to die, taking with them the ability for the brain to initiate and control muscle move- ment. As voluntary muscle action is lost, patients in the later stages of the disease can become totally para- lyzed, and eventually die. There is currently no known cure. The Icebucket Challenge has been the ALS Society's way of getting the word out, not to mention raise some cash, which goes directly to research. In just over a month, the campaign has helped ALS Canada raise over $10 million, while their American counterparts have taken in a stagger- ing $94 million in donations. For more information, or to donate to the ALS Icebucket Chal- lenge, visit the ALS Society of Canada at www.als.ca/icebucketchallenge. SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION 2014 MUNICIPAL ELECTION ACT, 1996 FOR THE AVON MAITLAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD NOTICE OF NOMINATIONS Nomination for the office of school board trustee One (1) person to be elected to represent the electoral district of Central East Huron consisting of the Municipality of Central Huron and Municipality of Huron East Nominations/Registrations may be filed during regular business hours at the office of the Clerk for the Municipality of Huron East, 72 Main Street South, Seaforth, Ontario NOK 1WO, until Friday, September 12th, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Nomination/Registration papers and full particulars may be obtained at the Municipal Office. A signed consent to the nomination, a declaration of qualification by the candidate, the $100.00 filing fee (cash, money order or certified cheque) and identification of the candidate are required. Electors are hereby given notice that if a greater number of candidates are certified than are required to fill the said offices, an election will be held. Voting Day will be Monday, October 27th, 2014. Please be advised that no person who proposes to be a candidate may solicit or accept contributions for election purposes, or incur expenses until that person's nomination has been filed. Dated this 3" day of September, 2014. Brenda MacIsaac Clerk Municipality of Central Huron Brad Knight CAO/Clerk Municipality of Huron East