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Fuel Local, a crowdfunding website, is now being promoted on InsideHalton.com. "This is community-focused where readers can help people in their own community," explained Terry Kukle, vice-president of business development at Metroland Media Group. Crowdfunding is a way for individuals, groups and businesses to appeal to the public to provide financial support for a cause or initiative. This can range from supporting a family whose child is receiving cancer treatment or sending a group of students to build a school in Haiti to investing in a new gadget or helping an aspiring musician release a debut CD. Fuel Local crowdfunding website now on InsideHalton.com "Crowdfunding is not a unique concept -- if you think way back, the base of the Statue of Liberty in New York was paid for by donations from citizens," Kukle said. Fuel Local allows anyone who meets the terms and conditions to start a campaign. The website is divided into 16 sections of campaigns, such as business, education, arts and family. The InsideHalton websites, including Oakville, Burlington and Milton, will also feature a crowdfunding section where local causes curated by local editors will be highlighted. Kukle said a significant portion of regular crowdfunding initiatives are not successful because they aren't able to reach beyond the fundraiser's immediate circle of friends and family. The advantage of Fuel Local is the increase of awareness through the many readers that visit the InsideHalton websites. "The vast amount of campaigns don't raise more than $500 because there's not enough people that know the campaign exists," Kukle said. As with other crowdfunding online platforms, there is a service fee for Fuel Local. The fee is set at seven per cent plus credit card processing fees, but may increase depending on the package of additional services chosen by the campaign owner. 5 | Friday, July 4, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com There are safeguards through the program to ensure the cause is legitimate, but as with any crowdfunding site, contributors are asked to exercise caution. "When there are zero dollars attached to a campaign, people are reluctant to put money towards it unless they actually know the people," said Kukle. "When there is already a portion of the money raised, they are more likely to give." To get started on the Fuel Local website, create a campaign at www.fuellocal.com. Readers can now visit www.InsideHalton. com to see highlighted crowdfunding initiatives in the community. Downtown on Town's agenda Monday Three Town of Oakville reports outlining a vision for what the downtown area should become will be presented to Oakville's Planning & Development council Monday (July 7) night at 7 p.m. The reports, which were created by Town staff in consultation with the public over the last few months, will address the next steps on how the Town can build a community that embraces culture, supports beautiful streets and encourages its residents to make a difference in town and in each other's lives. Staff is asking council to endorse the three reports: Downtown Plan, Downtown Cultural Hub and Downtown Transportation and Streetscape. The Downtown Plan outlines the vision, objectives and evaluation framework for the project, as well as a summary of the downtown economic assessment. The Cultural Hub Study details how to create a cultural and performing arts space that includes a performing arts centre, art gallery, library, outdoor program space, and indoor cultural space or digital hub that will become the cultural, social, and economic heart of our community. The Transportation and Streetscape Study outlines three options for the Lakeshore Road streetscape to address the current traffic and roadway conditions in downtown Oakville. For more information, visit www.oakville.ca/ townhall/downtown-plan.html. Sore Feet, Sports Injury, Painful Ingrown Toenails? Plantar Warts? We can help! Exceptional footcare for all ages. · Routine footcare · Corns & calluses · Plantar warts · Heel/arch/foot pain · Diabetic footcare and education · Thick or ingrown nails · Nail surgery · Sports related foot problems & injuries · Custom made orthotics · Sigvaris® compression stockings · Evenings and saturday appointments available · New patients welcome! J. Richard Werkman CHIROPODIST Now offering Laser treatment for toenail fungus. located on the north/west corner of maple grove dr. and cornwall rd. 1495 Cornwall Rd., Suite 33, Oakville T: 905-845-4817 www.werkman.ca " ...perfect match for us ...she made the journey fun ...already referred to a friend ...exceeded our expectations " Our designers make the difference " ...friendly professionalism ...a true expert in her field ...expert design flare... " 490 Speers Road, Oakville 905.339.2223 kdesigncabinetry.com