Times Advocate, 1998-11-04, Page 15Wednesday, November 4, 1998
Exeter Times -Advocate
Family
15
Block Parent Program helps keep neighbourhoods safe for everyone
By Kate Monk
TiMES•Al)Vt11:ATk grim,
1'
SOUTH HURON -
Students in area schools
received a refresher
course on the Block Parent
Program last week as part
of Bleck Parent Week.
The number one child
safety program in Canada,
Block Parent hon)es.havo
three main purposes. They
are a safe refuge for chil-
dren, seniors and teens
when a need arises for
help if they are bothered
by strangers, or are sick,
injured, being bullied. lost,
alarmed by, animals or
caught in severe weather,
conditions.
"A Bkn'k Parent sign in
the window lets children
know that a sale stranger
or Block Parent is hornet()
provide help. All .Block
Parent applicants are
'screened by the- police
before a sign is issued to
theta," said Lois Godbolt
who heads up the pro-
gram in South Huron.
The sign is .displayed in a
prominent house -window
only when residents are
available to help. The sign
also arts as a deterrent to.
potential offenders who
realize the .neighbourhood
.has its own safety support
system.
"it says we are protect-
ing our -children. We rec-
ommend at least two signs
to a street. !'here is also a
rural program in Stephen
and Usborne 'townships. It
works similar to the sign
in the window but decals
are. also put on each side
of the mailbox to let peo-
ple know that a Block
Parent lives there."
Godbolt said.
The Block Parent
Program educates chil-
dren about how to be
knowledgeable in protect-
ing themselves, giving
them the confid(fl(C to -say
-"No". Parents are encour-
aged to walk their chil-
dren through the neigh-.'
bourhood to point out
potentially dangerous
places, safe places and
Block Parent homes.
According to Godbolt,
there are approximately
120 Block Parent homes
throughout Exeter, down
from last year's 135. Four
businesses in the core
area are business Block
Parents.
"Exeter's numbers are
very .low. I would like 150
homes and 'need more
business Block Parents
also," Godbolt reported.
She would like to have at
least two homes per block.
Usberne Twp. has 40
Block Parents, Stephen
Twp. 55, Huron Park 21
and Dashwood has 31.
Block Parents are not
expected • to provide food,
drink, toilet facilities or
transportation, administer
tint aid, leave their home
• to break t4J4 a fight or open
their door to anyone if
they feel uneasy about the
situation. They assist peo-
ple in distress by phoning
the appropriate emer-
gency service such as•
police, are or ambulance if
necessary.
-Block Parent work' is
based on co-operation
from the schools,. the
police and people who vol-
unteer as Block Parents.
There is a parent repre-
sentative in each school.
The following people are
community representa-
tives:
Faye Van Oss - Precious
Blood
Heather Angus.- Exeter
Public
Bev Moreau Mt. Carmel
Leanne Robinson -
Stephen Central and
Dashwood
Jan Gardiner - Usborne
Central -•
Phyllis Collett - Crediton
Lillian Hearn - McCurdy
and Huron Park
Betty 1)eBlock- Treasurer.
Gardiner has been,
involved in with the
Usborne program for 15
years 'and is looking for a
replacement as the school
representative. ,
On Monday at Stephen
Central, Kathy Hayter
received recognition for
her 15 years of service in
the Block'Parent program.
Godbolt thanks the
limiter and•Area Optimists
and, the. Dashwood
Friedsburg Days Com -mit -
toe for their financial sup -
Pori
The Block Parent
Program has been protect-
ing South Huron children
for I9 years. The Can-
adian program start ' 30
• years ago in London in
reaction to the abduction
and murder, of a •child and
has grown to include over,
1,000 communities••acrpss
the country. It has boon
used as 'a model for
-Australia. England' and
Belguim:
Awareness of' the pro-
gram has increased in
recent years thanks to a
'national promotion cam-.
paign in TO branches. The
Tl) Bank Financial Group
is Block Parent's gold level
national sponsor:
"The next child in- need
may be your own and
wouldn't you want to'
know there is a Block
Parent within easy
reach?" concluded-
Godbolt.
p 0
N T I A
C .s B U
C K
G
M C
y '99 Pontiac Sunfire Sedan
Who says Sedan drivers have to give up styling_ and
performance..Included, in this sporty package are...
_'.! lith int nn t tt hoe) •%,) , I':\titi1..h 1. .lhr)l •artrii,-,u stem N.e"
• t,ries dual tion* an i.adt, ,\ ,1 I \1 url•.•.1 t •d glass ,.-.,r spoil.
tr.n .0.0u1 .1n1.1.
Cict 4 -speed automatic transmission with Eijthanced, Traction
Control and air cunditiuning fur `only 5411 more a month
(5248/ h/,it hs).
SMARTLEASE" • Purchase Financing
NO SECURITY DEPOSIT
'99 Pontiac Sunfire Coupe
This fun -to -drive coupe is Built -For Drivers.
Included in this sporty package are... -2.2 lure t•ngtitc.
.5 -speed manual transmission, 4 -wheel \nSI.1eftditel
rent system, tiosl <,rn.r.lttotrdual hart[ .1tr bags, tear
similes slid t shunt
spoiler, AAI 1 %1 ,rest' .ti
SMARTLEASE
208* Or
Purchase Financing
o/pi
/6r % p'y"'"/ Purchase
Ss46
Or
"fro do'�"'o"t/ Purchase
11646
O
515,748'
(excludes trelght 5645)
s15,658
(exdudesfr.i�rtS845) NO SECURITY DEPOSIT
L A fJ 1 E S
N
GENIT L E
M E N
OUR NEW 1999s ARE HERE AND WAITING TO REV YOU UP_
i{$ tsw�, s�u�
NO SECURITY DEPOSIT
'99 Pontiac Trans Sport
This sporty minivan is a true Pontiac. Being Built For
Drivers, it comes with... 185 I!1',3400 V6 engine, 4 -sateen automatic
transntis. - ' . 4 -wheel ABS, dual fr and side• air bags, .iti ...lull (tuning
with pollen filter. deep tinted glass. AM/1 1k1 stereo cassette, power- windows.
!emote keyless entry. dti.tl sliding sick. dont. -
SMARTLEASE Purchase Financing
qtr VOr
OM d0M
/1Ap'rtt"'d/ Purchase
NO SECURITY DEPOSIT 527*trig* required
,498'
(exclude. freight 5886)
'99 GMC Safari
There's plenty of room for- the family even
though we've packed the Safari with...
V.I.l.ss. r' .-I-1 A1. sl rt.•. . as.,t tt'. putter tine, 1...'L'.• 1'HI 111'
c•itgAn' l 4 -speed 1111. nblal1. 11.111+ani ',moll.. 4-lvinvl AISS. .u!
ttmtitf 1unnh;. ii-p.ts..•i srrr mg • .
Get into -a SLI -Safari' with CD player, remote
keyless etitry, power windows, 6 -way power driver's seat and
much ,inore for only $20, more a month ($2$8/month/
364monihs).
• SMARTLEASE Purchase Financing
o
Or
/36 monde/63,7A0 down vr?+wtt/
$670 freireht required
Purchase
523,758
(exc8ides freight 5870)
2.9" Financing is also available on GMC Jimmy and GMC Sonoma
Only at your Ontario Pontiac/Buick/GMC Dealers
You should know this: 'Based on a 36 month lease for Sunfire Sedan ISA, Suntne Loupe ISA. Satan iSA and Trans Spon I Se A down payment or trade of
$1,300(S1,30043.760($3,500 required No security deposit required Total obligations S8.788/$8,788/513.4081514,228. Annual kilometre limit 20,000'km. S0.12 per
excess kilometre. Other lease options available 'tFreight as indicated. Licence. insurance. air conditioning excite tax and taxes not included. Deals? may sell or
lease for less. ;Financing on approved GMAC credit only.. Example', 510.000 at 2.9% APR, the monthly pre/merit ist$290.37 for 36 months. Cost of borrowing is
' $453.32. 'Total obligation is 510.453.32. Down payyment, trade and/or security deposit may be. required Monthly payment and cost of borrowing will vary depending
on amount borrowed and down pa mergArade 'ttOffers apply to select 1999 new or demonstrator models equipped as ddscnbed, and applies to qualified cus
e awl► lomers in Ontario only (excluding Thunder Bay and Kenoul) Limited time offers which may not be combined with other offers. Dealer trade may be necessary Seo
your dealer(s) for conditions and details. www.gmcanada.com is a Trademark of Genetr,l Motors Corporation. ,