Milton Villager Magazine Volume 2, Issue 12 - November 2015 www.MiltonVillager.com
If you would like to advertise in Milton Villager email rick@dilorenzo.com Publisher - Rick Di Lorenzo, rick@dilorenzo.com Photographers - Ann Kornuta, Denise Cooperwhite, Grant Rushton, Trevor Black Reporters - Stuart Service, Laura Steiner, Genevieve Rushton-Givens, Kiran R. Khan, Liudmila Tarasova, Jessica Lyons, Emmanuel Ponce Graphic Designer - Tudor Maier Cover Photo - Tiger Jeet Singh Jr. Printed in Canada. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily that of the publisher and no liability is assumed for omissions or errors. Follow us on Facebook at http://facebook.com/MiltonVillager Milton Villager Magazine is available at these fine local businesses: Grocery stores: Metro, Food Port, Real Canadian Super Store, La Rose Bakery, Little Kabul Fine Food, Sobeys, Longos Food: Hero Burger, Pizza Nova, Troys Diner, Coffee Culture, Heritage Fish and Chips, Symposium, Shoeless Joe’s, Luigi’s Lasagna & Pizzeria, Mama Mila’s Cafe, Quiznos, Empire Wok, Mr. Sub, Tim Hortons, The Hen and the Roost Recreation: Milton Sports Centre, Leisure Centre, Milton Centre for the Arts, Making Waves Swim School Shopping: Milton Mall, Home Hardware, Canadian Tire
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United Way Kick off By Laura Steiner Photos by Denise Cooperwhite
M
ilton United Way chose a big venue to announce the biggest goal in their history; to raise $1 million. Mohawk Raceway hosted their campaign launch on September 25, 2015 with a few special guests including Deadmau5, and Tiger Ali Singh Jr. The evening was chilly as guests entered an outdoor BBQ area, with a stage set up with a big screen set back on the field flashing the hashtag “Change”; a slogan for the Milton United Way. Jojo and the Chintos entertained the crowd with songs such as Brown Eyed Girl. Official ceremonies began at 6:30 with a speech from Woodbine Entertainment C.E.O. Jim Lawson. “Woodbine Entertainment Group has had a long and close relationship with the Milton Chapter of United Way,” he said. The idea is to target some of the community’s largest employers in order
to give employees a chance to give through their paycheque. The special guests each held up a number revealing the final goal of $1 million.
This year’s campaign co-chairs are Shawn, and Bridget Saulnier. Bridget has spent a portion of her career working for government with agencies like the United Way giving her a unique perspective. “Not every community has a United Way. But the ones that do are the strongest. They’re the best organized.” The Milton United Way supports 29 agencies, and 25,000 Milton residents. For the first time the agency isn’t accepting any more applications for support. The agencies represent everything from food banks to employment-related agencies. “The United Way is the umbrella that brings our community together,” Saulnier said. Besides employees’ pay cheques how do you get to $1 million?
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Avery Szumlanski, Luc Renaud, Jaxon Renaud and Mason Szumlanski
Avery Szumlanski didn’t miss a selfie opportunity with deadmau5.
One way is through a new initiative called the Circle of Women Who Care. A group of women leaders gather monthly to learn about each of the agencies dependant on the United Way’s help. They are invited to donate $1000 at the “leadership” level. I’ve been to one event where we heard from Community Living North Halton (C.L.N.H.) and Supported Training and Rehabilitation in Diverse Environments (S.T.R.I.D.E.). It puts a human face on the agencies supported by the United Way, and adds an extra layer of accountability.
raised $12,600. A Curling Bonspiel held October 17 raised $12,000. Coming up on November 20, and 21 is the ever popular United Way House Tour. “The additional funds raised will be used to fund services
for more people,” United Way CEO Kate Holmes explained. To find out more about the Milton United Way, and its agencies visit their website: www.miltonunitedway.ca
“So far, the campaign is off to a good start,” Milton Mayor Gord Krantz said. He was commenting on the annual Mayor’s Golf Tournament held in late September that raised $10,000 more than the previous year. On October 4, 2015 the United Way held the annual Big Red Run. People of all ages gathered at the Mohawk Inn for a 5 km trail walk/ run, or a 10 km run through picturesque Campbellville. The event
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by Emmanuel Ponce
S
hoppers who made their way into Sobeys at the Milton Marketplace Plaza the weekend before Thanksgiving were given the chance to be a part of the Community Fundraising Block Party in support of the Halton Learning Foundation (HLF). This marked the event’s first year and included a variety of attractions, from free food and over 20 raffle prizes to entertainment for the kids. This included Snap, Crackle, and Pop greeting customers around the store, and taking pictures with Frozen’s Princess Anna.
This is certainly a time to give thanks; it’s also a time to think about giving to those less fortunate. According to the HLF, almost 1 in 10 Halton students live at or below the poverty line. While most students have access to all that our community and schools have to offer, some start their school day without the basic necessities: food, clothing, and proper school supplies. That’s where the HLF comes in—the foundation aims to remove those economic obstacles for students in the Halton District School Board (HDSB), and also provide grants to schools with certain needs, such as new school equipment and technology. Lesley Mansfield, Executive Director of HLF, was there to greet customers and inform them
of HLF’s mission. “We’re hoping that people are going to have a little heightened awareness about what’s going on here in Milton and know what our foundation does and how we help the students in the schools,” said Mansfield. “There are many different ways to help out, and if we all work together, that’s how we’re going to get a much healthier community here in Milton.”
The fundraiser could not have come together without the support of Sobeys’ team and the other businesses in the Milton Marketplace. Sandy Ma, Community Room Coordinator at Sobeys, pointed out the importance of building community partnerships, but also on developing positive relationships with community groups, organizations and customers through community outreach and involvement. “We love to be in the community and form lots of partnerships within the community,” said Ma. “This is our very first year and I would have to say it has been wonderful.” With a stream of curious customers stopping by the raffle tables and kids cheering at the costume characters, there’s no doubt the fundraiser was a success as the Sobeys team and the HLF worked together to raise awareness. “When you consider that one in 10 children in Halton is living below the poverty line, the difference that the HLF
makes in our schools has got such an incredible impact, so how can you not come out and support them when they do something like this?” said Donna Danielli, Trustee of the HDSB. “It’s a family event, it’s a kids’ event, it’s a community event—it’s all about bringing a community together in one spot to support each other and have a little fun.” To learn more about the Halton Learning Foundation, please visit www.haltonlearningfoundation.ca
November 2015 | Milton Villager | 7
Milton Looks Forward to Seventh Annual
W
hen Tiger Jeet Singh Jr.’s 5-year-old nephew was a patient at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children battling and later winning his fight with leukemia, the former professional wrestler couldn’t help but think of the many kids who would be spending the holidays away from home in a hospital bed. With this weighing on his heart he promised himself that somehow, one day, he would do something on a grand scale for them and, with the help of longtime friend Troy Newton, a miracle in Milton was born. On Monday, December 14th, 2015 the seventh annual Miracle on Main Street will be held from 6 a.m. - 9 a.m. on a closed-off section between Commercial Street and Millside Drive.
The event, as always, will be covered live by Breakfast Television and the Asian Television Network and will feature breakfast from Troy’s Diner, free coffee and hot chocolate, a ferris wheel, petting zoo and ice carving show to name only some of the many attractions.
As well, wrestling legend Tiger Jeet Singh, Walter Gretzky, town dignitaries, members of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Maple Leafs Alumni, Halton Regional Police and Milton Fire Department will all be in attendance to show their support for the Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation’s mission of giving back.
“I want to promote our amazing service men and women and all the things they do, so I highlight them every year,” Tiger Jr. explains. “Kids are bused in from public schools. They learn the spirit of giving and, in turn, they can enjoy all the fun and festivities.” To put into perspective how much Miracle on Main Street has grown in such a short amount of time, Tiger Jr. recalls many people who drive down the night before from cities and towns outside of Milton to stay in a hotel just to be at the event bright and early.
“This has become more than the foundation, more than us. It has grown so big that we want to now help other charities in town,” he adds that this year there will be a booth amongst
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the vendors to raise awareness for cystic fibrosis and other worthy causes.
The only admission fee: a new, unwrapped toy that will be organized and personally delivered by Tiger Jr., his father Tiger Jeet Singh, Troy Newton and their ‘Band of Merry Men and Women’ to McMaster Children’s Hospital, Sick Kids, The Salvation Army and Halton Women’s Place. “We recreate the event in the lobby and they are shocked that it’s all for them and they know they are not forgotten. They feel so special because we brought the party, this wonderland, to them,” Tiger Jr. describes their McMaster Children’s Hospital visits where, on that day, the kids can be just like any other kids jumping into a mountain of toys. “For the children with the weaker immunity we have a separate set-up in an isolated area on the second floor and those who are terminally ill, my father and I go up and visit them personally. To see that, it just gets you right to the core. The greatest joy I get is when I
see happiness on their faces, because as human beings, we all have charity at heart.” he adds. It’s an experience that humbles him and his team of volunteers every year. “When I’m with these kids I feel invigorated and they are a great example for society in general. There are kids in there not griping about anything and appreciating every single moment they are able to breathe. That’s the thing that inspires me, they are the real heroes.” The Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation strives to bring the community, with all cultures and religions, together for the greater good with the understanding that sickness and poverty do not discriminate on the basis of faith, and neither should the spirit of giving.
Miracle on Main Street in its first year raised around $30,000 and, over the years to follow, has very conservatively hit the $1 million mark in donations. Now in its seventh year, he is left speechless that the event has become a Milton holiday tradition. “I am so grateful for the community from my heart for taking it and accepting it as their own,” he says, pausing as he gets a little choked up. “It’s beyond words. I could never ask for anything more.” For more information or to make an online donation visit: tigerjeetsinghfoundation.com By: Jessica Lyons
November 2015 | Milton Villager | 9
Blue Skies and French Fries at the
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he 162nd Milton Fall Fair took place shortly after the first day of fall, as the seasons transitioned, which resulted in perfect weather and blue skies at the Milton Fair Grounds. September 25th, 26th and 27th were the dates on the lips of many families, couples and groups of friends in Milton as they anticipated a weekend of autumn fun. The Milton Fall Fair is a well-established festival with the first county fair being held in 1854 on Martin Street. The Milton Fair Grounds have been hosting the Fall Fair since 1864. Organized by the Halton Agricultural Society, it began with mainly agricultural shows and as the years passed by more modern aspects of the fair were incorporated, like the midway rides, demolition derby and classic car show. The Halton Agricultural Society hopes to promote agricultural awareness through the Fall Fair. “I enjoy taking my grandkids here, I enjoy supporting Milton, just an afternoon out. Good fun,” said Sussi Gordon, who visits the Fall Fair every year. She brought her son Daryll and her granddaughter Peyton this year. “It’s the Milton Fall Fair, you gotta go. If you’re a Miltonian, you gotta go.”
by Genny Rushton-Givens Photos by Denise Cooperwhite
The Fall Fair delivers countless activities. You can watch cars destroy each other at the Demolition Derby, savour delicious carnival fare, get lost in the rides and games at the midway and watch local musicians including Tianna Woods Band and Pop Machine. Also, if you want to view different species of farm animals up close you can go to the petting zoo, the poultry barn or the livestock display barn and
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(Gopa) John Cooperwhite and grand girl Faith Doyle-Upshall
Vincenzo Carito (president of the Halton Agricultural Society)
be overwhelmed by the size of a cow. There are plenty of opportunities to take in older events like the truck and tractor pulls, horse shows and homecraft exhibits as well as modern events like the Rexall baby show and classic car show. Lucas and Amanda Tonner brought their infant son Chris to the fair. “We like the midway, the food, the atmosphere,” said Lucas Tonner. “When the weather’s nice, we like the weather. We usually come for the demolition derby... Just being part of Milton.” A new feature of the fall fair is that you can now get a weekend pass for $25. Some people experience the Fall Fair for the first time like the young children riding their first ferris wheels and enjoying the pony rides. Others come back for the 5th, 10th or 50th year, enjoying the same familiar rides and attractions that they look forward to each fall and discovering the new attractions that are added little by little each year. It is encouraging to know that in this everexpanding town of Milton a fair that was historically one of the biggest events in town enjoys even more popularity now. The Fall Fair is one of Milton’s finest traditions and the next one can’t come soon enough. To find out more about the Milton Fall Fair, visit MiltonFair.com
Daryll Gordon, Peyton Gordon and Sussi Gordon Junior Harness Competition
Deborah Morris and Michael Corrigan
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November 2015 | Milton Villager | 11
Leah Alcock
By Rick Di Lorenzo Photos by Denise Cooperwhite and Ann Kornuta
Danielle Ashford
T
he annual Milton Haunted House now in its 6th year was once again a spooktacular success. Milton Mall was the scary place to be on October 23rd to 25th as volunteers took over multiple units near the food court turning them into a maze of frightful horrors. The fundraiser for Milton District Hospital Foundation (MDHF) also included a silent auction, raffle, face painting, colouring contest and photo booth.
Amy Smith, Sydney Hase and Zach Hase in line up
The line-ups started before noon on the weekend with a constant stream of people making their way through the haunted house. Among them was the Singh family; Kimberly Singh mentioned the Haunted House almost brought one of her family members to tears while another had a couple good jumps from the thrills inside.
What makes this haunted house one-of-akind is that people of all ages can attend. Younger, more easily scared visitors can opt
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Sergio and Greg Contesti
Sean Figueiredo as Jason
for a flashlight which is an indicator for the scary volunteer actors inside to lessen the fear-factor while the more adventurous can go flashlight-free to experience the full effect.
Paulette Lockwood, parent of one of the volunteers, posted on the group’s Facebook page and gave kudos to the Milton Haunted House. “It was a well put-together event. I even went through and survived.” This year over 150 Milton volunteers took part in different ways to make the event a success – from distribution of flyers to setup/construction to being part of the acting crew inside the Haunted House.
Keeping the Milton Haunted House new and different each year is an annual challenge for the event organizers. “We make changes with props and acting scenarios to ensure each year’s haunt is unique so you never know what you will experience each year,” said a Milton Haunted House committee member. “In addition each year new volunteers bring different improvisations to the acting positions inside so you always have that individual touch on the roles inside.” For more details on the Milton Haunted House or to see additional pictures from the event please visit www.miltonhauntedhouse. com or their Facebook page at facebook. com/miltonhauntedhouse
Katherine Danielli
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Brad MacLennan, Emily Usai and Rachel Crouch
Trinity Pereira
Melanie Hepburn, Kaylana Azevedo, Nik Dermo, Ethan Azevedo, Vin Dermo and Anna Dermo
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The Craig girls Tegan, Peyton and Kylie going through with caution
2015 Babies ... 2015 Babies ...
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All family members are special, but the very first meeting with Santa is a holiday milestone worthy of extra attention. Mondays from 4 to 8 pm are a time with special perks for parents bringing in their 2015 babies. During these hours, Santa’s team will help these parents head to the front of the line. And, to make the occasion even All family membersa are special,ornament but the very meetingwith withany Santa is a holiday milestone more memorable, keepsake will first be included purchase. worthy of per extra attention. Mondays from 4 to 8 pm are a time with special perks for (limit one customer, while supplies last). parents bringing in their 2015 babies. During these hours, Santa’s team will help these parents head to the front of the line. And, to make the occasion even For more details visit miltonmall.com more memorable, a keepsake ornament will be included with any purchase. (limit one per customer, while supplies last).
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November 2015 | Milton Villager | 15
Story by Genny Rushton-Givens Photos by Denise Cooperwhite
S
aturday night on October 10th, the place to be in Milton was Bishop Reding High School for an event called Garba Ni Raat. Garba Ni Raat is a Sanskrit phrase which means “dance night”; “raat” means “night” and “garba” is a genre of dance. The event is a celebration of Navratri, organized by the Halton Gujarati Samaj (an organization dedicated to charity and Gujarati culture the culture of the Indian state of Gujarat). What is Navratri? Navratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to worshipping the goddess Durga. It is a major festival in India and celebrated internationally by people of Indian heritage. The name means nine nights in Sanskrit because the goddess battled evil for nine days and on the tenth day she won the war against evil. During Navratri nine forms (reincarnations) of Shakti/Devi are worshipped. The tenth day is called Dasara, on which people pray and exchange gifts. Usually it takes place in the fall, but the date is different every year.
Garba Ni Raat has been going on in Milton for several years, with higher attendance each year. It has grown from 200 on the first year to more than 2000 this year, according to the Halton Gujarati Samaj Facebook page. Admission was $7 in advance and $8 at the door with a portion of the proceeds going to Milton District Hospital Foundation, Vaishno Devi Hindu Temple in Oakville, and Iskcon Brampton (a Hindu education centre). Inside the lobby of the high school, vendors set up shop selling jewelry, clothing, religious books, and other items. There was also a booth providing instruction on meditation. The school cafeteria housed tables of flavorful vegetarian Indian dishes, all homemade by event volunteers. The dancing was in full swing in the gymnasium as thousands congregated to dance, wearing traditional Navratri outfits; chaniya choli and dandiya dresses for women and kafni pajamas and kediyu for
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Devanshi Barot, Samir Barot and Rajul Barot
men. The outfits were colourful, intricate and often bejeweled; clearly it was a night to dress up and be fancy. The music for the night was led by Garba King Pramesh Randi and Swargunjan musical group. Adults, children and teenagers weaved around in circles with excitement on their faces. Everyone seemed to know the movements to the traditional Gujarati dances; Garba, Dandiyas Raas, Bhai Bhai and Sanedo. The spectacle of hundreds of people in gorgeous clothing skillfully synchronizing their movements together to Indian music was a beautiful and unique thing to witness.
Hassu Bihari, MPP Indira Naidoo-Harris, Niraj Thakkar and Bihari Sthankiya
Nilesh Patel and Bhavesh Patel
Kiran Tiwari came with a large group of friends to celebrate Navratri: “Basically I’m Indian and it’s my community so we all get together and we all celebrate the festival and we all dance and [celebrate] so I like that.” In the centre of the room there was an altar dedicated to the goddess, with nuts and dried fruit in large bowls surrounding the altar as an offering to the goddess. At the beginning of the night, a prayer ritual (Holy Puja) worshipping the goddess was performed.
Happy girls Kashvi Chotai, Aarushi Vasani, Nidhi Vasani, Twisha Chotai and Sheetal Chotai
In addition, MPP Indira Naidoo-Harris, MP Lisa Raitt, Councillor Rick Di Lorenzo and potential MP Azim Rizvee were in attendance and made brief speeches. Special guest Tiger Ali Singh gave a rousing speech praising the community of Milton and multiculturalism. Organizer Nilesh Patel explained the main purpose of the event which was togetherness and charity: “We want to achieve harmony in the community... so the achievement is basically a bridge between the communities, bridge between different castes... and harmony between the people and families.”
Halton Gujarati Samaj (HGS) committee would like to thank the sponsors,volunteers, family and friends who participated in this event and made it a grand success. HGS is also thankful to Alzheimer Societies of Brant, Haldimand-Norfolk, and Hamilton-Halton Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton for participating in this event. To learn more, visit HaltonGujaratiSamaj. com or https://www.facebook.com/halton.samaj
MP Lisa Raitt is all dressed up for the occasion
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hosts world famous Yogini for Milton workshop By Liudmila Tarasova Photos by Denise Cooperwhite
W
hat impressed me most when I first entered Bikram Yoga Milton Studio (310 Main Street East) last Saturday morning to attend a great yoga event and admire Ida Ripley (a “world famous Yogini”) was a warm reception. It was warm in every sense as, first, I was charmed by the welcoming smile and amiable manner of the studio’s owner, Nuzhat Jillani, and, what is more, I was immediately soaked with sweat because of the temperature inside, which is constantly kept at 40 degrees Celsius. Our readers might get perplexed and ask, ‘Why is it so hot inside the yoga room?’ Bikram yoga is hot yoga, which is able to heal your body from the inside out. In order to do it safely, you should first heat up your body to make it more flexible. Moreover, Bikram yoga helps your body get rid of toxins and other waste products and sweating is an essential part of this process.
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To return to the day and event, the workshop conducted by the worldfamous yoga instructor Ida Ripley was held in the Hot Room – a spacious, well-lit warm-coloured and cork-floored studio, with huge windows, carefully curtained to protect the privacy of the participants. I asked Nuzhat how it was possible to keep the room so hot. She explained, “Our Hot Room is heated using state of the art Infrared heating panels which are proven for their therapeutic benefits and giving you the feel of soaking in the sun.” Ida herself was incomparably perfect and approachable and her style of teaching was clear and concise. She taught in a friendly manner, paying the same attention to everyone regardless of their age and experience with yoga. She also brought energy and enthusiasm, inspiring her students. It was a really warm day during this shivery fall season just as all the coming days at Bikram Yoga Milton are expected to be.
November 2015 | Sponsored Content | 19
By Laura Steiner
T
A podium was set up at the front of the room for special speakers. Backer, and Townsend spoke about the foundation, as did Father Mark Curtis, and Member of Provincial Parliament (M.P.P.) Indira Naidoo-Harris. Smith first spoke to Naidoo-Harris over coffee convincing her of the need for it. “He (Lyndon Smith) just wanted to make sure that I got it. It had 3 sittings. The first was at 1 pm, That I really understood why it was so the second at 2 pm, and the third at 3 important.” Naidoo-Harris said. She pm. In a long hallway tables were set up serves as a Parliamentary Secretary to the to sell raffle tickets and fascinators, with Minister of Health. “Our government a silent auction as well. Guests entered on is committed to making the hospice/ the hour, and were seated in tables of up palliative care experience better,” she told to 8 people where they were served a high the crowd. tea with all the fixings. “(The high tea is) a wonderful way to support us. Anyone who The goal of the Townsend-Smith wants to do any kind of fundraising. We’re Foundation is to establish a 10-bed hospice more than happy to work with them,” Lin within Halton. The only thing lacking is Backer explained. Backer spoke on behalf the land. “We need land which is the big of Lyndon Smith, the foundation’s co- thing,” Janet Townsend said. Townsend’s husband was former Fire Chief Ron founder. hree girls approached the Townsend-Smith Foundation with an idea: a fundraising high tea. Enter Edwina Doddington of the Escarpment Tea Room. Working with management at Seasons’ Retirement Residence, and volunteers she held a High Tea on October 4, 2015.
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Townsend. “It’s something that’s been in my heart since my husband passed away.” This makes the cause personal. They would like to find a corporate backer to help with the land, and building. Janet Townsend is appreciative of the hard work it’s taken to get to this point. “To see the hard work that we’ve all put into it over the years, and finally come to events like this: it’s amazing.” The group will always need volunteers, and fundraising at events like the High Tea. “If you build it, we will come,” Townsend said of events. The High Tea raised over $4000. For more information on the Townsend-Smith Foundation visit their website at: www.townsend-smith.ca. To learn more about future High Tea events go to Edwina’s facebook page at facebook.com/edwina888 or call 905878-5898 for High Tea reservations.
Celebrate... Celebrate...
... THE SEASON AT YOUR COMMUNITY MALL ... THE SEASON AT YOUR COMMUNITY MALL Join in the fun at the Milton Monkeys Kids’ Club on Saturday, November 14th from 10 am to 12 noon as we welcome Santa to the mall. Join the funatat12 the Milton Kids’ Club on Saturday, November 14th Santainarrives noon andMonkeys will be here EVERY DAY until Christmas. from 10 am to 12 noon as we welcome Santa to the mall. For hours and photo prices, visit our website and click on Santa! Santa arrives at 12 and will be here EVERY DAY until Christmas. For more details onnoon upcoming events For hours and photo prices, visit our and store news, visit miltonmall.com website and click on Santa! For more details on upcoming events and store news, visit miltonmall.com
Corner of Ontario and Main
miltonmall.com
Corner of Ontario and Main
miltonmall.com
November 2015 | Milton Villager | 21
By Kiran R. Khan
Milton Rotary Club
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he Rotary Club of Milton will host another Online Auction – which runs from Saturday, Nov. 7th to Nov. 21st at 10 a.m. – to benefit local youth and other worthy service projects, says Rod McLachlan, past President of the Rotary Club and the Director of PR on the board. “The online auction is our major annual fundraiser and allows us to financially put in motion these types of aforementioned projects,” says McLachlan.
The auction – first started a decade ago as a TV auction on Cogeco and run jointly with the Rotary Club of Oakville-Trafalgar – will also have The Rotary Club of Kitchener joining in this year. “Last year the total retail value of items on the site was approximately $120,000. We expect close to $200,000 this year with Kitchener coming on board,” says McLachlan.
The Milton Rotary Club was chartered in 1947, and many of the annual projects benefit the Milton youth. In the last 10 years, it has given $60,000 to Milton high school students for post-secondary scholarships and bursaries. The club’s motto is to foster friendship and self improvement by working with local and global partners, with an emphasis on youth development. All of the items are donated by local Milton businesses, such as Milton Car Audio,
to host another Online Auction
Milton Telus Store, Champs Bowling, and the Milton Orthotic and Wellness Centre, to name a few. “Champs has donated to the Milton Rotary Club for the last couple of years,” says Jent Rosell, the Guest Services Manager and Event Coordinator at Champs Family Entertainment Centre.
The donation includes a gift certificate for two hours of bowling with shoe rental for up to 6 people - equaling just over $100.
“Last year we raised a net of about $18,000 just with the Milton Rotary Club,” says McLachlan. “Our target this year is $20,000 net.” The Rotary Club is 100 per cent run by volunteers made up of members from all four Rotary clubs – Mississauga, Kitchener, Milton, and Oakville. Auctioned items include: sports events tickets, restaurant gift certificates, golf packages, jewelry, winery tours, and much more.
“Milton Rotary Club couldn’t accomplish all of the great things we do for Milton youth without two things: the generous
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donations and sponsorships by local businesses, and the strong support of local residents who bid on our great items year after year,” says McLachlan.
To take part in the auction, you can visit the website at www.miltonrotaryauction.com at any time and start browsing the auction items. To take part, you need to be registered online; bid often and on as many items as you like. The highest bids win at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21st. The last night is when the auction closes and highest bid wins.
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