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Random Act of Chocolate helps build playground By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF 7 · Wednesday, July 14, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Chocolate in the playground sure sounds good and in this case it has helped make recess even better for the students at Gladys Speers Public School. The school will be getting a new playground for its students, thanks in part to a donation from Mars Canada through its Random Acts of Chocolate program. Four-time CFL Grey Cup champion and Oakville resident Mike "Pinball" Clemons, helped bring the random act of chocolate and act of kindness to the school. He presented a $10,000 cheque to the Halton Learning Foundation and the Gladys Speers Parent Advisory Board, on behalf of Mars Canada, on Monday. It was the last bit of funding required before the $54,000 construction of a new playground could begin. While the grownups worried about the funding, Clemons also handed out Mars chocolate bars to the large group of children playing at the old playground, which will be replaced. He asked all the children to turn to their neighbours and smile. "That's why we are here today because we want to help each other out. That's what community is all about," he said. "When you feel good in your community your quality of life increases significantly." He also loaned a child his championship ring to wear for some photos. The Mars Canada Random Acts of Chocolate campaign kicked off earlier this year. Through the program, Mars helps support community initiatives while encouraging individuals to do random acts of kindness to each other. "When you do a little thing to help someone else, you say to them we love you just the way you are," Clemons said. "What we want to encourage you to do is simply do something kind for someone else, sometime today. Do something kind for someone else expecting no return." The fundraising effort for a new playground was done by the learning founda- "What we want to encourage you to do is simply do something kind for someone else, sometime today. Do something kind for someone else expecting no return." n Michael Pinball Clemons, spokesperson for Mars Canada's Random Acts of Chocolate MICHELLE SIU/ OAKVILLE BEAVER RANDOM PRIZE: Jason Craddock and Michael `Pinball' Clemons spokesperson for Mars Canada's Random Acts of Chocolate Campaign were on hand to announce a $10,000 donation to Gladys Speers Public School for a new playground. Craddock nominated the school, which was drawn from thousands of other nominations to receive the donation. tion. "One of our keys is the partnerships with the schools," said Pat Wright, executive director of the foundation. "We work closely with the schools and the parent councils when they identify a need within their school." Wright added in her speech that Clemons would again return to the school when it opens in the next school year to speak to students, which received a loud applause. The Halton District School Board's director of education, Wayne Joudrie, thanked Mars Canada along with the individuals involved in the fundraising for their support and hard work. Speaking to the children he said, "I'm an old, old guy about to retire so this is the last chance to talk to some kids and I'm delighted to be here at Gladys Speers in order to do it because I love watching you play." He added, "I'm going to come back to the school when you have a new (playground) because I think that's the joy of a community at its best." Jason Craddock, an area resident who's small children will likely attend Gladys Speers one day, nominated the foundation for the Mars donation. He thanked Mars for the money. Where the foundation raised the money for the new playground, it was the parent advisory council that did the planning work that made it all happen. The new playground will be built and ready before the September start date at the school. · HARDWARE & SOFTWARE SERVICE · NETWORK SECURITY · WEBSITE CREATION & MAINTENANCE · TRAINING (BEGINNER TO ADVANCED) Terence Young M.P. Oakville Visit us at our new location HWY. #6 N W S E WATERDOWN Visit Our SHOWROOM · Quality Craftsmanship · Innovative Designs · Professional Service & Installation · 10 Year Warranty SOU TH D HWY. #5 HALLMARK KITCHENS 23 INNOVATION DRIVE (Clappisons Corners) WATERDOWN 905-689-7877 www.hallmarkkitchens.ca Getting things done for Oakville. R.