www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday October 19, 2007 - 19 Parade entry deadline nears A Thank You to the Y The Oakville Santa Claus Parade is welcoming all community groups, schools and businesses who wish to enter a float in this year's parade on Saturday, Nov. 17. Every year, Oakville residents look forward to the parade and line up to watch colourful floats, marching bands and the big arrival of Santa Claus with his eight little reindeer. The parade signals the start of the Christmas season for most Oakville residents. The Oakville Santa Claus Parade has been delighting families, residents and visitors for more than 50 years. Now it's your turn to be a part of all the holiday cheer and enter a float. This year's parade theme is `Christmas through the Decades.' Creativity and originality are key. The '70s seems to be a popular decade so far. Organizers want to see a variety of floats going down the streets of Oakville, keeping with the theme. The Santa Claus Parade committee urges all groups to get involved in the excitement. Whether you are a service club, charity, community organization, sporting group or local business, it's a tradition anyone can be a part of. A reminder to Oakville schools: Don't forget to get in your responses for the T.A. Blakelock Float Challenge. The overall winning float entry will receive a grand prize of $500 this year. Entry forms are now available online at www.oakvillesantaclausparade.ca or leave a message at 905-815-5981. The deadline for entries is the first 50 entries received, or Oct. 26, whichever comes first. There are only a few spots left so don't wait. Now in its 59th year, the Oakville Santa Claus Parade is a cherished tradition in town. The 2007 Parade takes place Saturday, Nov. 17, beginning at 9 a.m. The parade will begin at Lakeshore Road and Reynolds, go west on Lakeshore to Kerr Street, north on Kerr to Stewart Street. The following letter was written to the YMCA of Oakville in September by the parent of a camp participant. To the YMCA: Thank you so much for 10 years of marvelous Y camp service that I and my daughter Sylvia have appreciated. I would like to thank all those involved with the subsidy funding for the Y summer camps. My daughter Sylvia has been attending the Y summer camps since she was five years old. Now she is 15 and still loves the camps and has volunteered two summers in a row. I am so grateful, and have been all these years, that due to the subsidy I received I was I think the Y is a 10 out of 10 for any place that has taken charge of my daughter. Sincerely, Karina In 2006, the YMCA of Oakville provided fee assistance to 1,532 children and families through the YMCA Strong Kids Annual Campaign. It is our mission to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the nurturing and health-giving programs and services that the Y can offer. For more information about fee assistance, or to send a child to camp, call the Y at 905-845-5597, ext. 317. You can help a child. -- Submitted by the Oakville YMCA able to keep Sylvia in camp every summer. I always felt she was safe and well cared for. I have always been very impressed on family night with the quality of the Y counselors; their enthusiasm and energy. Words cannot adequately express the gratitude I feel and how much the Y has meant to myself and my daughter all these years. 12 SUPERSale Sofas La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries ® MONTHS DO NOT PAY O.A.C. * Come in and Meet Us! $ 1199 REX Dual Reclining Condo Love $1179 * * Gilgan Family Y Rebecca Street ! Kinesis Core Strengthening ! The WAVE for cardio and core m Lessons ss Classes and Youth Programs Y Steps & Stages Parent and Child rams ial Arts h Leadership Programs y Youth Nights ol Kayaking Minding -of-the-art Wellness and ss Centre or Track etre Pool apeutic/Leisure Pool ble Gymnasium bing Centre k Bar Accessibility MCA of Oakville is a charitable ciation open to all, dedicated to providing ong opportunities for health enhancement and personal growth. Chairs up to $ LANEY Recliner 499 799 $ * * 40 * storewide* ENTER TO WIN A % off PINNACLE Leather Recliner Need help? Ask about our FREE IN-HOME DESIGN SERVICE! $ BELLINGHAM 100% Leather Sofa Condo Love$1679* BELLINGHAM 1699 $5000 SHOPPING SPREE! Comfort. It's what we do. 410 Rebecca Street Oakville, ON L6K 1K7 Telephone: 905-845-3417 Facsimile: 905-842-6792 E-mail: customerservice@oakville.ymca.ca www.lazboytoronto.com *Prices shown include all discounts. Limited quantities. Products may differ from store to store. See in store for details. OAC EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES - APPLY AT ANY ONE OF THE LOCATIONS LISTED!