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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, October 20, 2011 · 14 $2 million fundraised by Halton Learning Foundation It is through the generosity of many donors that $2 million has been granted through the Halton Learning Foundation (HLF), the charitable arm of the Halton District School Board, to benefit Halton students and schools. Enrichment programs, scholarships and emergency funding for children in need have all received support. HLF is celebrating this milestone on Oct. 27 at its Annual Celebration Dinner. These gifts, and in turn resources, continue to make a tremendous and long lasting impact on the lives of students. "In partnering with the Halton Learning Foundation, organizations such as the Oakville Community Foundation are supporting Oakville students," said Pat Wright, executive director at HLF. "Students at various schools in Oakville are now enjoying many new literacy and technology resources as a result of several grants from the Oakville Community Foundation (OCF)." The Oakville Community Foundation (OCF), established in 1994 by the Lawson Foundation and the De Maio family, has grown to be one of the top Community Foundations in Canada. There are 177 similar foundations across the country. The OCF acts as a knowledge resource and catalyst, generating awareness of the issues and challenges in our own community. They bring people and organizations together to stimulate new ideas, build participation and strengthen community philanthropy. OCF utilizes publications such as the Vital Signs report, which is a "snapshot" of Oakville, to help identify and address issues and opportunities in the community. "There is a wide range of needs and projects in Oakville schools, which can be matched with donors' philanthropic objectives or goals," said Wright. "By providing "By providing resources to enable students to achieve success or by exposing them to new learning opportunities, we are providing today's youth with the knowledge and skills upon which to do great things" Pat Wright, executive director Halton Learning Foundation resources to enable students to achieve success or by exposing them to new learning opportunities, we are providing today's youth with the knowledge and skills upon which to do great things." The Oakville Community Foundation has been working with HLF for the last several years. OCF's most recent donation came directly from a Fundholder, Ruth De Maio. De Maio, who makes the granting decisions for the Alexander and Bernice De Maio Fund, is a retired schoolteacher, a mother, and someone who recognizes the importance of education, especially at a young age. The De Maio family's leadership in the community continues to be reflected in their recent support for technology improvements at Gladys Speers Public School. Similarly, two other OCF Fundholders have directly supported Halton District School Board students through grants. Sunningdale Public School received a Literacy grant from the Pauline and Don Smith Family Foundation and The Adrian and Mary Coote Family Trust supported a Home Reading Program at Palmero Public School. HLF, working with organizations such as the Oakville Community Foundation, is supporting students and strengthening schools in our community. Dinner celebrates foundation's work The Halton Learning Foundation (HLF) will be celebrating its recent milestone and thanking its donors for it. Approximately $2 million in grants have been issued by the Foundation to benefit Halton students and schools through enrichment programs, scholarships and emergency funding for children in need. This funding provides resources that enrich the educational experience of students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. The HLF will celebrate its $2 million milestone at the Annual Celebration Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 27, titled From One Good Deed to Two Million, at the Oakville Conference Centre, presented by RBC. Halton Learning Foundation is the means by which everyone in the community can take part in providing a quality education experience for all Halton District School Board students. Whether it is by providing emergency help for students in need, funding new resources and projects that enrich the learning environment, or by recognizing student achievement with scholarships, the Foundation's ultimate purpose is to support students and strengthen schools. You can help students to succeed in school, work and life. The Halton Learning Foundation is funded by donations from the business community, individuals, parents, school board staff and student-led fundraising initiatives. Events such as the Celebration Dinner enable the foundation to raise funds to support individual students and school initiatives, while at the same time, raising community awareness of the many needs requiring support. This year is no exception. Included in the evening will be performances by student musicians, senior student fine art displays, a silent auction, as well as a raffle. For more information on the event, to make a donation, or to purchase a ticket, go to info@haltonlearningfoundation. Tickets cost $125 for individual tickets or $800 for a table of eight.