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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, March 7, 2014 | 6 When we think about reducing waste and protecting the environment, we often think about the simple, everyday things we do around the home, like recycling our trash, using high-ef ciency light bulbs and adjusting the thermostat to save energy on heating. All of these are great ways to save money and cut down on pollution, but there are many other ways to recycle and conserve resources that don't always meet the eye. Few consider their furniture, appliances and cabinets to be recyclable. When it's time to renovate or move, many people send items like these to the dump, even if they are still in good condition. At best, these items take valuable space in land lls, or at worst, break down and release potentially harmful substances into the environment. Habitat for Humanity Halton has a simple solution that can make all these items recyclable and reusable, while supporting affordable-housing projects in your community. Habitat Halton's ReStore sells new and used building supplies, furniture, appliances and other materials to the public at up to 75 per cent off retail prices. Most of our inventory comes from Halton residents and businesses who donate quality merchandise to support our cause. Reselling these items has turned the Halton ReStore into a recycling powerhouse. In 2013 alone, the store diverted more than 1,000 metric tonnes of usable products from land lls, selling more than 34,000 items. These donations did far more than reduce waste; they also supported Habitat's effort to build affordable housing for families in need. Donations also save our municipalities a great deal of money by extending the life of Halton's land ll site. Habitat Halton is proud to be a part of this ongoing conservation effort. It's easy to be a part of the ReStore's waste reduction efforts. If you have quality used furniture, appliances, cabinets, building supplies or other materials you no longer use, our salvage team can visit your home, assess and pick up items for free. You will even receive a tax receipt for the sale value of your donation. Drop-offs are accepted at the Burlington ReStore, 1800 Appleby Line, Unit 10. To arrange a donation, visit habitathalton.ca or call our ReStore scheduler at 905-637-4446, ext. 230. When you donate items to Habitat, you are changing the way you recycle, the way you protect the environment and the opportunities available to families in need of a hand up. Pick up a hammer and help build 75 homes in the next ve years. To donate to Habitat Halton, visit www. raiseathon.ca/hfhh. To learn more about our programs or volunteering, visit www.habitathalton.ca. This guest editorial was provided by Roy Campbell, who is a writer serving on Habitat for Humanity Halton's marketing committee. · · · Editor's Note: The next Habitat for Humanity build is on Pembroke Drive in Oakville. It is set to break ground next week. Watch for our ongoing coverage. You'll also see Oakville Beaver staffers along with others from the Metroland West Media Group on-site helping out in early April. You can help build homes Editorial F R E N C H F L A I "Connected to your Community" R 447 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 52 | Number 29 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice ­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN Joshua Creek Public School show off masks at a recent café featuring French culture and activities, includingcrafts, mask-making and face painting -- all with French or Carnaval de Québec themes. Clockwise from left, students Adelyn Kelley, 11, Shayanne Bachani, 11, Robyn Gabrovsky, 11, Brooke Eyram, 12, and Abbie Clash, 12, show off their masks during the activities. Buskers also performed throughout the day and various groups provided entertainment and displays. | photo by Nikki Wesley ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_ photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production SANDY PARE MARK DILLS Thank you for the warmest winter ever Despite this winter's frigid weather, the kindness and generosity of fellow citizens has warmed my heart and kept me smiling through these dark, cold days. I have witnessed many acts of compassion this winter with strangers stepping forward to help their neighbours and those in need. Indeed, I have also been fortunate to experience the joy of receiving this kindness. I want to thank everyone who has helped melt the ice on my soul and renewed my faith in our community. From the excitement of the `pay it forward' coffee phenomenon at Tim's, to the relief of waking up to a shovelled driveway on a weekend morning, these acts are truly special gifts that have a way of multiplying. It is remarkable to feel the urge to help after being helped or to volunteer after witnessing others give. This is the magic of our humanity and it is thriving here in Oakville. We have a wonderful community with lots of opportunity, but it is these personal choices to take action that strengthen our neighbour- Letters to the Editor MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager hoods and make this a truly remarkable place to raise a family. I want to make particular mention of a very generous gift I received on Thursday, Feb. 26 at the Eighth Line Metro store. After racing home from work to pick up the kids at the school bus, I made a quick pit-stop to get a few groceries. With two hungry kids in snowsuits, I trudged through the store and nally made my way to the checkout only to discover that I had forgotten my wallet. Without hesitation, the ne gentlemen in front of us offered to pay for our groceries. He politely refused any offer of repayment with only a simple comment that he hoped others would do the same given the opportunity. I cannot thank this man enough for both his kindness and for his trust in the simple virtue of treating others as you want to be treated. You have certainly inspired me to look for even more ways to contribute and I encourage everyone in Oakville to continue to make this the `warmest' winter ever. Rich O'Hare, Oakville Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5040 Mainway, Burlington ON L7L 7G5 or via e-mail to; ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.