February/06 saw us participate in the Children's Safety Village joint announcement with Mike Neuts, father of Myles Neuts who died at the age of 10 after being hung on a coat hook at school; in this announcement Mike Neuts disclosed the forming of a new Foundation, and promoted Henkel Hooks which are produced right here in London, and have been designed to automatically release when more than 25lbs weight is put on them, then automatically reset for continued use.  This club has committed $500 per year over 5years available to schools, daycares, community centres, who wish to purchase and install these safety hooks. Northridge Public School have now installed 100 safety hooks, of which we paid for 75.

In May/06, we forwarded a total of $6000 to Special Olympics Ontario London branch to send 5 athletes to the National Summer Games in Brandon Manitoba. This donation was made possible by our Nevada program, and also the good graces of TSC Stores for donating back some of the profit on the Claxton Cake sold through their stores.  In the words of SOO, this is the single largest donation received by SOO London ever.

We also contributed $2,500 towards the cost of building raised gardens and pathways at the Community Living London residence on Dissing Crescent. (see our Photo Gallery for more information).

On June 21/06 we presented a cheque for $5,000 to SARI Therapeutic Riding for purchase of a special needs saddle and to Adopt a Pony for a year. Look under Projects for more information, and see our Photo Gallery.  In June/07 we voted to continue sponsoring Fanny for another year, at a cost of $3,000.

To finish up the 2005-2006 year, we presented a cheque of $2865 to a local resident to enable them to purchase and install a pool lift. Their 12 year old daugher has cerebral palsy, and this pool lift will now allow her to exercise her legs and to play with the family in their above ground pool. This child was one of our mini-golfers in June/06.  Recently we got word that the pool lift is finally getting installed, and are looking forward to going over to see her use it! Check in our photo gallery for pictures of JJ on the lift!

2006-2007 started off to be another year of reviewing and answering appeals from Community organizations and the public. We have sponsored our usual hockey team, made donations to Thames Valley Children's Centre, Junior Civitan SnoDo, and taken our C.H.I.L.D. program to several Women's Community Houses around the City of London to fingerprint and photograph mothers and children.  We have also provided funding for another child in need of orthotics.

In December, we held a Stuff the Bus for Rotholme, and thanks to Elgie Bus Lines and Jerry's No Frills, the day was a huge success.

In January, we responded to the parents of little Olivia who has been in the Press many times over the past year. She is the child who underwent surgery in spring, 2006, for removal of a cancerous brain tumour. Olivia's parents are currently unable to continue working due to their arduous trips up and down the highway for her treatments in Toronto. We provided gas and food vouchers for the family, to hopefully make life a little less stressful in the coming months.

We have approved a partnership with Hospice London to provide funding for information covers for their clients. Susan Dean of Hospice London attended our dinner meeting January 24 and brought the concept to us. Proofs are now in hand, have been approved, and the cheque for over $3,000 has been cut!   See newspaper listings for their kind words...

At the end of September 07 we were able to arrange for the purchase of a backpack feeding pump for a 29 month old little guy who was born a twin with a whole range of medical problems. These problems require that he be on a feeding tube 24/7, and in the "terrible twos" stage, he could no longer be kept static for feeding, especially with two active siblings. As a result, little Ali was losing weight, not gaining. Hopefully, now he'll be on the road to recovery as he desperately needs further surgeries, which can't be done until he gains weight. See the picture gallery for shots of him wearing the backback and finally able to be mobile.