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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, February 27, 2015 | 6 Do you know a worthy volunteer? Community has been de ned as a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common; a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. A picture symbolic of the town of Oakville should be beside this de nition in the dictionary, because day in and day out, the citizens of this town embody the word "community." There's no better example of this town's great sense of community than the myriad of volunteers who strengthen it. Oakville's volunteers serve on local boards and committees, mentor peers, organize cultural and recreational activities, support seniors, provide shelter, counsel youths, clean parks, coach teams, read to children, lend a helping hand and a hand up to those in need, offer assistance to those facing health challenges and so much more. Volunteers do the work they do because they believe in causes, equal opportunities, clean, healthy and safe community spaces, active living and helping others, among other reasons. The upcoming National Volunteer Week (April 12-18) -- dedicated to honouring and recognizing those who donate their time and energy to their fellow citizens -- will be here before we know it. Volunteer Halton, a program of Community Development Halton, is now reaching out to nonpro t, voluntary and grassroots organizations and agencies asking for people to nominate deserving individuals as it searches for volunteers to honour. Nominees are sought for its Cheers to Volunteers and Community Volunteer awards. The Cheers to Volunteers Award recognizes the important contribution volunteers make to an organization. Three recipients from each of the four Halton municipalities (Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills) will be selected through a random draw. Meanwhile, the Community Volunteer Award recognizes an individual volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to the community. One recipient from each of Halton's four communities will be selected based on the volunteer's impact. As well, nominations are being sought for the Walter Mulkewich Community Development Award, which recognizes the collective contribution of a group of people working co-operatively toward positive change. Anyone can nominate a non-pro t or grassroots community group. Self-nominations aren't accepted. The nomination deadline is Friday, March 20. Online nominations are now open and forms can be found at www.volunteerhalton.ca. Here's the chance to truly recognize those in the community who make a difference in the lives of many in this town and who make this a truly great place to call home. Editorial F O R K I D S ' S A K E "Connected to your Community" 447 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 53 | Number 17 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Halton held its 27th annual RBC Curl for Kids' Sake last Saturday at the Oakville Curling Club. Many local businesses registered teams to sell out the event at which $41,000 was raised in support of the Big Brothers Big Sister of Halton programs. Pictured, from left, are: Larry Arsenault, Colin McAnuff and Paul Proulx (who was the top fundraiser), of Dundee Precious Metals; John Lever and George Mitrovski, of title sponsor RBC; John Nunnikhoven of Glenn Graydon Wright LLP; Barbara Ferrone, executive director of BBBS Halton; and Oakville Ward 2 Councillor Pam Damoff. | submitted photo SANDY PARE MARK DILLS MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Letters to the Editor Resident remembers a great lady and friend Margaret Mason was an Oakvillian who made a difference. I was very sad to learn that my friend, Margaret Mason, had passed away recently. In politics and in community involvement, you meet wonderful people along the way who impress you with their quiet dignity and caring nature. Margaret was such a person and more, she made a difference in our community and our nation. When I had the privilege of being the Oakville federal Conservative candidate in the 1990s, Margaret worked oh so hard, as she had for many elections. She believed in the democratic process and loved it. When she invited me into her home for a large family celebration, I saw again those same qualities of caring, compassion and determination. A wonderful approach to life. Margaret Mason: a great lady, a great life, a great friend. Stephen Sparling, Oakville Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: New courthouse is much needed in Halton Re: New courthouse is long overdue in Halton, insidehalton.com, Jan. 29, 2015 In November 2014, I had the opportunity to tour the Milton courthouse with my colleagues, Kevin Flynn, MPP for Oakville, and Indira NaidooHarris, MPP for Halton. We saw rsthand the dismal situation there. see All on p.9 The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5040 Mainway, Burlington ON L7L 7G5 or via email to; ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.