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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday December 30, 2006 - 7 Helping hands gave her hope Continued from page 5 "We had a home, but we literally had to start from scratch," she said. "The three of us were sleeping together in one bed. I had a few dishes and some clothes, but that was it." This was far from how Cindy pictured her life turning out. "I have a university degree," she said, pointing to the framed accomplishment from the University of Windsor, which sits on a shelf in her living room. "I thought I was going to be making $60,000 a year by this point, but I faced some hitches along the way." Debt started piling up ­ from her university tuition, custody battles, ownership battles and more. With two children to take care of, finances became Cindy's biggest battle. "We were literally living each day just to survive," she said. But things are looking up since that accidental phone call. "We've come a long way ­ and help is what got me here," she said. "People are willing to help complete strangers. I was so overwhelmed that people wanted to help me that didn't even know me." Cindy, who hopes to one day go to teacher's college, has found child care services for her kids during the day and is currently looking for a job. "I'm doing so much better. Our home is my sanctuary," she said, while sitting on the couch with Alyssa and Nathan, who took a break from his Spider-Man colouring books ­ one of many Christmas presents he received. "I'm at peace now, and I haven't been at peace in a very long time." The reason she contacted The Oakville Beaver was to say thank you. "I think Oakville is the most generous town I've ever come across," she said. "I don't know how I would have done this year, this Christmas, without all the help. It's just been overwhelming. I feel so blessed." -- Krissie Rutherford can be reached at krutherford@oakvillebeaver.com. Jump into the driver's seat with a 3 year subscription to World of Wheels. This high performance magazine gives Canadian car buffs a bi-monthly look at news, reviews of what's out there, and previews of models to come plus much more. Only for a 3 year subscription. $35.99 40% off the newsstand price! FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW, AND FAX TO 905-842-4810 OR CALL 905-842-6591 Pud By Steve Nease snease@haltonsearch.com Name: Address: City: Province: Phone: Email: Visa Card No.: Signature: Postal Code: Fax: Mastercard Cheque* Expiry Date: Date: * Make cheques payable to World of Wheels. Mail to: Circulation Department 447 Speers Rd., Suite 4, Oakville, Ont., L6K 3S7. Please allow 6-8 weeks for processing. Add $10 for orders outside of Canada.