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‘Big Brother‘ att McNichol could Mnever imagine walking out on his wife and young daughter. In fact, the thought sickâ€" ens him. That‘s why his heart goes out to Susan Mahler and her five children. Mahier has been a single mother for about a year Insurance agent befriends client‘s children After her marriage broke up, she moved to Waterloo, hoping to start over. â€" But that new start took a downhill turn earlier this year when financial woes forced her to give up her Life has been a struggle ever since. But the worst part is knowing her children, who range in age from one to 12, no longer have a consistent father figure in their lives. Little did she know there are people who care. And they can be found in the most unexpected places. "I went into State Farm Insurance to look into getâ€" ting life insurance," Mahier explained. "I thought we were covered under my husâ€" band, but we weren‘t." During her first appointâ€" ment she met McNichol, an agent with the company. _ After learning Mahler‘s circumstances, both McNiâ€" chol and his office manager, Christine Ball, were quick to offer their help and supâ€" u\‘re art? Architecture? istary? Then participate in Doors Open Waterloo Region Sept. 20 from 10 a.m.â€"4 p.m. Some of the region‘s most interesting buildings will be open to the public â€" free of charge â€" for one day only. ‘Doors Open‘ in Waterloo Region Doors Open Waterloo Region will feature 28 buildâ€" ings (some of the building will be hosted by volunteers "We have become really By Anprea Baney Chronicle Staff Matt McNichol has helped the Mahier family, including from left Meghan, Penny, Liam, Susan, Abby and Matt, through some tough times. close friends, even like famiâ€" ly," Mahier said. "They‘ve helped me by driving me places, and Matt‘s been there for my children â€" especially my boys Matt and Since Mahler‘s husband visits on occasion, her chilâ€" dren don‘t qualify for the Big Brothers program. McNichol is trying to help fill that void by spendâ€" ing time with the children, and including them in fun activities with his own famiâ€" _ Recently, McNichol and his family spent the day with Mahler and her chilâ€" in period costume}, as well as some prominent outdoor sites, such as the famous Covered Bridge in West Montrose. Other buildings include: Brick Brewing Co. Ltd., Waterloo; Brubacher House Museum, Waterloo; Doon Presbyterian Church, Kitchâ€" ener; Free Church and Memnorial Cemetery, Bridgeâ€" port; History of Waterloo THE RIVERWORKS 1440 â€" 1 King Street N. St. Jacobs, ON (519) 664â€"2700 email: dansk_st jacobs @ scantrade.ca LIFESTYLE McNichol said spending time with Mahler‘s children has been fulfilling. dren at Ribfest in Gueiph He also donated water bottles to 12â€"yearâ€"old Matt‘s soccer team. "Hearing Sue‘s situation, you can‘t help but think, ‘that could be my wife, my friend, or my sister,‘" he "I would like to think someone would be there for my family if they needed it.. _"Really, the greatest gift you can give someone is your time." _ McNichol said his attiâ€" tude comes from his career, County Murals, Regional Headquarters, Kitchener; Joseph Schneider Haus, Kitchener; J. Steckle Herâ€" itage Homestead, Kitchener; The Old Button Factory, Waterloo; Pioneer Roller Flouring Mills, St. Jacobs; Rummelhardt _ School, Waterloo; St. John Evangeliâ€" cal Lutheran Church, Wellesley Township; Schnurr‘s Hall, Linwood; Harvest Celebration‘! )% COOK&WARE «5. SERVING PIECES where caring for the wellâ€" being of the client is as important as selling insurâ€" ance. "We‘re like that with all of our clients," he said. "We‘re not just about insurance. We‘re about helping people when they need help, and letting them know they‘re not just another number." Mahler said the support she‘s received from her new friends has been heartâ€" warming. "They‘ve really put things into check," she said. "And they have no vested interest. "They‘ve really given me a sense of security." Sun Life Financial, Waterloo; Walper Terrace Hotel, Kitchâ€" ener; Waterioo County Gaol and Governor‘s House, Kitchener; Waterioo Regionâ€" al Curatorial Centre at Doon Heritage Crossroads, Kitchâ€" ener; West Montrose; Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Agatha. For more information about Doors Open Waterloo Region, call 747â€"5139. Over 485 children went to school this week with smiles on their faces thanks to the efforts of Send ‘em off Smiling. _ _ _ Send ‘em Off Smiling (SOS) is a notâ€"forâ€"profit orgaâ€" nization that provides new clothes, shoes, backpacks and school supplies to the neediest children in the community. Started in 1994, the organization takes children identified by teachers and pairs them with sponsors who shop to fill a knapsack with a new outfit for the first day of school â€" including shoes, clothes and school supplies. "We need generous people who see the need, understand the need and who want to help," said Lauâ€" rie Corrigan, SOS director. "If you can open your heart and your wallet to the children; and for these kids you‘ll make going to school a positive experience." Those who agree to sponsor a child will receive the age and size information for a boy or girl. Groups, coâ€" workers and friends are encouraged to combine resources to spansor a child. Donors receive a tax receipt for contributions. Cash donations are welcome. Organizations and individuals can contact SOS by eâ€"mail at helpachild@sendemoff.ca or leave a mesâ€" sage at 744â€"5678. The Region of Waterloo will host a "Fall" Compost and Wood Chip Giveaway Day, Sept. 20 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Waterioo landfill site. omm ts Regional residents can receive up to five bushels of compost and wood chips each per household, while quantities last. Residents must bring their own shovels and containers. The day will feature a food drive hosted by the Food Bank of Waterloo Region. Residents are invited to contribute nonâ€"perishable food items or cash donations. Region holds compost and wood chip giveâ€"away Compost is a rich organic soil amendment proâ€" duced from leaves and yard waste collected in the The region‘s compost has been tested to meet provincial regulations, and screened of debris. The wood chips are produced from the chipping of brush and clean wood waste received at the region since July No backyard composters or rainbarrels will be disâ€" tributed at this compost giveaway. â€" For more information, call the compost informaâ€" tion line at 883â€"5100, or visit the Region of Waterloo home page at www.region.waterloo.on.ca/. The YWCA Lincoin Road Apartments will hold an autumn craft and gift sale, Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 _ The sale will include Halloween crafts. Proceeds will support Operation Christmas Child. The sale will be set up at 155 Lincoln Rd. in Waterâ€" loo. Fall kicks off with craft sale SOS program makes clll)ildren smile â€" Canadian Travel & Cruises â€" Cz / Vacations Ex on Sale 886â€"8900