The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Shy student inspires peers to help in the Philippines by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff 7 | Friday, January 17, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com It all began with a note left on a teacher's desk saying the class should do something to help those affected in the Philippines by the 2013 typhoon -- two weeks later, the Grade 1 class at Pilgrim Wood Public School had raised $500 for the cause. After watching the evening news coverage of the typhoon with his parents, shy six-year-old Omair Khan left a note on his teacher's desk the next day saying his class and the school should help those affected in the Philippines. "We were overwhelmed at the capacity for these students to think of others, especially people they didn't even know. Their energy towards this cause has been contagious, both in our classroom and in the school," said Heather Lovely, who along with Bimal Sault, teaches the Grade 1 class at Pilgrim Wood. "It's incredible to see how proud they are as they have realized that even as one of the youngest grades in the school, they can be leaders." Teachers Bimal Sault, at far left, and Heather Lovely (in the back row) with the Pilgrim Wood Public School Grade 1 class that followed up on a challenge by classmate Omair Khan (wearing No. 90) to raise $500, which was donated to Peter Hodgson (left of Omair) of the Canadian Red Cross in support of relief efforts in the Philippines, following Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013. | submitted photo Once Omair shared his thoughts with his 17 classmates, the Grade 1 class began brainstorming ideas on how to help, finally deciding on a Loose Change Drive for the Philippines. "The actual fundraising went over a period of about two weeks, but they have been working on this for about a month, talking about the initial typhoon, what they would need in the Philippines, making posters, writing an announcement for the school," Lovely said. The students went class to class with jars asking for donations of spare change -- the Grade 1 class even went as far as bringing in their own piggy banks to donate their own precious change for others who needed it more. The school recently held a recognition assembly to present the Canadian Red Cross with the donation cheque, where videos were shown to the students so they could see exactly how their donations are being used to help the people of the Philippines who were stricken by the devastating typhoon. While most of Oakville's current Town councillors were quick to register for re-election, only one contender has emerged so far to challenge the incumbents. On Jan. 2, the earliest day possible, Linda Oliver registered to run for the Ward 1 Town and Regional councillor position. It's her second try for the position as she also ran in 2010. The job is currently held by Alan Johnston, who has served on council since 2006. Oliver, who has worked as a registered nurse at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and is now semi-retired, said she received 43 per cent of the vote in the last election, coming in second place by just 213 votes. "The 2010 election was a clear indication the residents of Oakville Ward 1 were looking for more from their elected representative," she said in a press release. "I will leave it to them to decide whether they got it over the past four years." Oliver said she used the last four years to gain Oliver registers to run in 2014 election additional background and insight into Ward 1 issues, which include: cell towers, property development, green space, affordable housing, and the new Oakville hospital. A resident of Ward 1 for more than 28 years, Oliver has raised three Linda Oliver children with her husband Tom and has five grandchildren (soon to be six). She is concerned and motivated by the decisions that affect her family, friends and neighbours. "I am running for the people of Ward 1 who want more and better representation. This is their campaign," said Oliver, who said she will continue to evolve her campaign. For information, visit www.lindaoliver.ca. A STEP BEYOND IN CARE DO YOU HAVE: Salima Kassam Reg. Chiropodist · Foot/Arch Pain? · Ingrown Toenails? · Diabetes? · Swollen Ankles? · Corns, Calluses? CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT 905-632-1414 728 Burloak Drive www.footandhealthclinic.com VISIT OUR WEDNESDAY, Open House on advertorial 7thingstoknow beforeputtingyourhomeforsale homesellers make 7 deadly mistakes that cost them literally thousands of dollars. The good news is that each and every one of these mistakes is entirely preventable. In answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a free special report entitled "The 9 Step System to Get Your Home Sold Fast and For Top Dollar". To order a FREE Special Report, visit www.OakvilleHomesInfo.com or to hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1-800-596-5812 and enter 1000. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get your free special report NOW to find out how you can get the most money for your home. February 5 Oakville - A new report has just been released which reveals 7 costly mistakes that most homeowners make when selling their home, and a 9 Step System that can help you sell your home fast and for the most amount of money. This industry report shows clearly how the traditional ways of selling homes have become increasingly less and less effective in today's market. The fact of the matter is that fully three quarters of homesellers don't get what they want for their homes and become disillusioned and ­ worse ­ financially disadvantaged when they put their homes on the market. As this report uncovers, most HSC PREPARED ME WELL FOR UNIVERSITY. Studying with motivated, intelligent students at HSC challenged me to continuously raise my academic standards. - HSC Graduate This report is courtesy of Furat Ilia-Kingsway Real Estate. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright © 2013 Hillfield Strathallan College is an independent day school for Montessori Toddler and Pre-Kindergarten students to Grade 12. Visit us at www.hsc.on.ca. Now accepting applications for September 2014. Call Scott Barton 905-389-1367