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37 · Friday, April 9, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Scare tactics Prom preparations Continued from page 36 RIZIERO VERTOLLI / OAKVILLE BEAVER TO FIGHT CANCER: Abbey Park High School's annual Inside Ride event raises awareness of childhood cancer and funds to help families struggling with the disease. Teams of six students enter to cycle on a stationary bike for one hour (each team member riding for 10 minutes), and raising money through pledges for their effort. Here, Sam Lambert, Brianna Piper and Renne Helmer were the Halloween Team with a motto of `Let's scare cancer out of this world.' can accommodate lots of students and so they want to hear from them. "I am still not hearing from the youths in the community who are in need and who could greatly benefit from the project. This is the most important part, to actually reach those who need a hand," said Fernandes. At what the Prom Project organizers are calling the gala boutique to be held in Appleby College's lounge, there will not only be clothes to choose from, but also advice on all the glitz, from makeup, to hair and more. The group of Appleby students took on the project and did cold-calling, dropped off flyers, solicited donations from friends, neighbours, the community, teachers and more. The group contacted local agencies like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton and the Halton Children's Aid Society (CAS) to get the word out to those who may need assistance. They also developed a website, secured a storage area in an Appleby residence and planned the hors d'oeuvres-and-refreshments gala boutique to be held this month. The gala boutique, for those who may be shy of attending, will offer an upscale ambiance at which the Appleby students will become the personal shoppers, advisors and confidantes of those arriving for personal, one-on-one assis- tance in getting glitzed up for prom night. The idea was that of Fernandes, a business and global issues teacher in Appleby's social sciences program. The group of students at the heart of the Prom Project include Nikki Kipp and Alex Beran, both Senior I students, and Laura De'ath, Alex Henderson and Ashley Thistlewaite, all Seniors II students. Fernandes said the idea was born last summer when she read about Toronto's Corsage Project. Other similar efforts are The Princess Project in California and The Cinderella Project in Vancouver. "I saw the need for an organization that would help all high school students attend prom with confidence," said Fernandes. Invitees to the gala boutique will be graduating students, male and female, in the Halton region who have either requested an invite on the project's website, or whom have been referred through local agencies including school principals. Fernandes said those who may need assistance not only for proms, but also for apparel for job interviews, confirmations -- even for the parents of youths to attend such functions -- are welcome to contact her. For more information, visit www.thepromproject.webs.com. Oakville Cuvée supports children living with cancer The second annual Oakville Cuvée on Saturday, May 1 will be held by the May Court Club of Oakville to fundraise for local children's charities. Michael `Pinball' Clemons will be the auctioneer for the event's Cause within a Cause. Proceeds will go to Halton Wellspring programs for children living with cancer. The success of May Court's inaugural cuvée has led to this second edition to be held at the Mercedes-Benz Oakville Autohaus, the official club sponsor, at 300 South Service Rd. The number of culinary and vintage participants is up 30 per cent this year. Twenty local chefs will pair their food with the finest VQA wines from 13 of Ontario's wineries. The May Court Club of Oakville has a mandate to help local children's charities in Oakville and Burlington. Specifically, it will focus on children living with cancer through the cuvée. Imagine telling a child they have cancer, or telling them you, or their brother or sister have cancer. All thoughts so terrifying that your mind shuts down. Where to turn? Is anyone else going through this? How does a family cope? In the community, there are far more children and their families than anyone cares to think about who are living with cancer. Halton Wellspring at 2545 Sixth Line has been offering support to people living with cancer for almost 10 years. Many May Court members are among the more than 200 people who volunteer at Wellspring. The gratification received in seeing so many people helped on a daily basis is truly inspiring. One of the Wellspring programs targeted for Oakville Cuvée funds provides emergency psychological counselling for both parents and children. These services are tailored to help people young and old manage their disease and its effects. As well as the counselling, a volunteer team organizes three or four pediatric oncology parties annually at Wellspring where children, siblings and parents set aside troubles for a day and just have fun. In June there is a summer carnival, in October an " in house" trick or treat for Halloween and in December, Santa has a chat with each child and gives them a gift, Wellspring offers child care to enable parents to participate in programs. The goal of this year's May Court Club Oakville Cuvée is to support these children's programs at Halton Wellspring, which costs approximately $43,000 annually, as well as other children's charities in our community. Every year, local charities, and new charitable initiatives apply for financial help from May Court. It is from these applications that deserving charitable activities are funded. Most of them focus on children, women, and families. The May Court has been thrilled with tremendous response of Cuvée participation from local purveyors of fine food and wine. Besides the tasty treats, the event will feature entertainment and music. Oakville Cuvée has also received tremendous community business support. Sponsors include The Daniels Group; Briarwood Cosmetic Surgical Centre; TD Securities; Assante Wealth Management/ The Goddard Group Private Client; Alex Irish -- ReMax About Towne Realty Corp Brokerage; The Invidiata Team Remax; Barbette II, Jubilee Market and Hub Financial. Tickets cost $75 per person and are available by calling 905-905-257-2633 or 905-842-5403, or visit www.maycourt.ca. -- Submitted by the May Court Club of Oakville Get Your FREE FAMILY PASS! The Oakville ALL Leather Furniture Is ON SALE PLUS WE PAY THE GST! Leather for your HOME COLLECTION Just look for the bright pink insert in Today's Oakville Beaver. Don't miss our best show ever! APRIL 9, 10 & 11 at the Glen Abbey Recreation Centre (1415 Third Line north of QEW) Friday 1pm-9pm · Saturday 11am-5pm · Sunday 11am-5pm SHOW HOURS