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Lakeshore Advance, 2011-10-05, Page 6Wednesda , October 5, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 5 Conmuity Walk for wellness at St. Annes Madelaine Higgins Lakeshore Advance ,4911)This week at St. Anne's Cath- 1Ic Secondary School, students were introduced to the annual "Walk for Wellness" event that takes place at the school, where they will raise pledges in the hope of benefit- ting the school and local com- munity. This event encourages students to show their school spirit and put a "hands up" to being fit and well, in a fun and energetic environment. The entire school will walk, run, or dance around the track and the proceeds from the event will go towards helping St. Vincent de Paul in Goderich to build their long desired soup kitchen, as well as equipment for the St. Anne's fitness room. The "Walk for Wellness" will take place on Thursday, October 13th. Members of the group, "Me to We" travelled to the Air Can- ada Centre in Toronto on Tues- day, September 27th, joining 18,000 youth to participate in the annual We Day. The pur- pose of this event is to bring up social issues in our time, and to help youth to find their place in being the change, through celebration and inspiration. St. Anne's forms a great commu- nity of students who are dedi- cated to change, and the move- ment of our time. On Wednesday, September 28th, academic achievements were celebrated during the annual Awards Assembly. Stu- dents were recognized for their academic accomplish- ments from the previous school year in every subject offered at St. Anne's. A big "hands up" to all those who received awards and to the staff and students who helped to organize the assembly! Fall sports teams continued to be busy as ever this week, with the field hockey team playing in Exeter, the junior girls' basketball team playing at CHSS, and the cross country team travelling to Byron for a meet. The Huron Perth Tennis tournament was held in Strat- ford on September 29th, as well as the WOSSAA golf tourna- ment in St. Thomas. Wealth of knowledge leaves the Lambton Shores team CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 4 whole the best advice possible to assist it to make decisions as a collective on any given issue. Peggy is part of that future for the municipality. Every organi- zation has to look at succession planning. Given the fact that senior managers are approach- ing retirement the 'Peggy's' of the team are the future. When we as the media need nswers we go to the staff. They re the people who run the organization, the municipality. The council is made up of peo- ple who took an oath to repre- sent the people who voted them in. They are rate- payers who in many cases have no political experience, save sit- ting In the gallery at meetings. Their experience lies within whatever skill they were trained in. They stepped up to the plate and took the chance those voting thought they could make a difference, not singularly- but as a team of other councilors and staff. Quite quickly a council member learns their place or should have by now. This is no big secret. Every new council, at one time or another had to learn the ropes. Staff were already there- they are the new guy. They are walking into strange territory and rely on staff to explain what is. Very quickly council members learn without staff- it would be mighty difficult to run the municipality. They soon learn, or should have that having the right to do something- does not necessarily mean it's the right thing to do. They soon learn, or should have that politics isn't about big money or power games or grandstanding but about the improvement of peo- ple's lives for the future. And as they learn that- or should have - it is the staff that paves the way to their success. Some really, really get it- some not so much. Having said that --Van Mierlo West has made this reporter's job easier for the past five years. Since I knew very little about her areas of expertise, her answers to questions have been invaluable. l just hope I thanked her enough. Think about becoming a Grand Bend OpIimist member Mil Agency What does the Optimist Club do? "Our club puts smiles on chil- dren's faces and is dedicated to bringing out the best in kids through volunteers dedicating their time and talents to projects that bring funding to the commu- nity," says Grand Bend Club presi- dent Korey Herman. "The funds we raise go towards educational and recreational equipment, events for children, and over all contributing to making the community better. We determine the needs of the young people in the community and conducts programs to meet those needs." The Optimist mission is: By pro- viding hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids and their vision is that Optimist International will be recognized worldwide as the premier volun- teer organization that values all children and helps them develop to their full potential. Herman says member recruit- ment is important to the health and growth of a club. For those that don't have children and are thinking about joining, Herman says becoming a member allows you to give back to the com- munity and the youth. "For those who have children in the schools, youth and recreation programs it is a way for you to contribute to where the funds go and to have a say on events, and programs that we support and initiate." The Grand Bend group has members from 23 years old to late fifties. "So age is not important but wanting to have fun, and work with like-minded people towards same goals is," says Herman. Herman says bettering and supporting the youth in the commu- nity, region and internationally is part of their focus. "With some of our projects we have been able to help the community and the face- lift the municipality has been work- ing hard on in the couple of years." What has this club accomplished? This Club has been in existence for a decade. Over those ten years they have staffed and funded the youth center that continues to have great success with after school programs and several summer programs and trips that keep chil- dren busy and educated. They are key in helping to fund the Optimist Park across from the TD bank, the new playground equipment at the Grand Bend Pub- lic school, some of the smart boards in the school, the play- ground at the main beach, as well as the Lions Park ball diamond. Programs supported are the local spelling bee, the anti bullying pro- gram, the self-esteem program with South Huron high school, and a leadership program through Optimist International. "Things that we have funded ourselves are the skate- board park, the Youth Center programs and many others. "Over- all we have put back into the community more than $1,5 million dollars, and hop- ing with the help of new recruits and the wonderful support we get from the community to continue to grow that amount," said Herman. Herman says, as a member we ask only what you can give. We do meet once a month to Iceep in the loop as to what is happening or needed, "We do have three major fundraisers and require you to help with one or all. Now that this Club is almost fin- ished with all thier financial obli- gations, they are looking forward to a fresh start. In the works is a skat- ing park at the basketball court, upgrading the skate board park, continuing funding for the youth center and a few surprises up their sleeves that will involve getting children out into the community to gain safety knowledge, leadership, and social networking. "We are working right now on our Grand Vegas Night at the Gables on the 26th of November. Last year we raised close to $14,000.00," says Herman adding the Drive & Jive will return in June 2011 and they are selling tickets as well for free groceries for a year and the draw is November 1st . How would I become a member - who do I call? Please contact Michelle at lredfox@hotmail.com or visit her at 519-719-4787, Or Korey Herman at 519-617-7171. Meeting the challenge of rural poverty Suzanne Tsuchida Special to Lakeshore Advance cannot afford the equipment and do not have access to transportation. Rev. O'Reilly's churches in Thedford Reverend Dr. Christine O'Reilly and Watford urge community mem- addressed members of the Huron hers to become involved and make a Country Playhouse Guild on Septem- difference in the quality of lives of ber 28th . The meeting was held at those less fortunate. Her congrega- Siv's Pub and Grill. Rev. O'Reilly tions volunteer in the local schools, shared her passion for helping those mentoring students, helping with in need in our community. snack programs as well as sponsor - Rev. O'Reilly shared that there are ing family suppers. She stressed that many faces of poverty in rural the power of volunteering should Ontario. Poverty can be found in never be underestimated. Rev. those with limited financial resources O'Reilly also reflected on the impact but also in those with no choices. of random acts of kindness, etnpha- She shared examples of adolescents sizing it is often the small things that who have dropped out of school that we do that make a difference in have no secondary school diploma, someone's life. no job, no viable options and subse- Rev. O'Reilly expressed her per- quently no resources for daily living. sonal credo as four simple words: She also shared that many children love God, love others" Her commit - in poverty do not have access to ment to the poverty issue is com- activities that we take for granted. mendable! Take up her offer to vol - An example of hockey was used to unteer and make a difference in our demonstrate how children can be community. She can be contacted at deprived because their family Knox Church in Thedford or St. Andrew's Church in Watford. In the business portion of the meeting, the 2012 Guild Gala was dis- cussed. Members of the committee are looking for auction items. All items will be gratefully accepted. Please contact Doreen Mcl iarg if you can contribute. Guild members and members of the community are to be congratu- lated for their tireless work in fund- raising. Although a difficult task, it allows the Huron Country Playhouse to enhance theatre arts in our area. 'Ihe next event is Huron Country Playhouse's Annual Meeting. It will be held on Wednesday, October 26th at the Grand Bend Legion beginning at 11:30am. A 40th Anni- versary Celebration will be part of the meeting. We encourage all those interested in Guild activities to Join us. Cali Marguerite at 519-238-2331 for further information. We value new members and would be delighted to meet you.