Oakville Ontario News, Articles and Reviews

“The Fireflies”! A Night of Fun at LOL!

Laugh Often, Live Fully, Love Freely! For the sixth year in a row, Oakville’s annual Ladies Out Laughing “sold out” comedy event continues to stand out as a night of over the top fun and laughter that makes a huge difference for several cancer-fighting causes; raising over $60,000.

Ladies Out Laughing was created in 2008 by two friends, Chris Reidy and Deirdre Thomas, as a way to raise money for their own participation in The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation’s Weekend to End Breast Cancer.

That first year they were happy to raise over $6,000 – but the event has grown spectacularly every year, and is now a much-anticipated fixture in the Oakville scene, with tickets selling out the very first day they go on sale.

Attended by over 500 women – and a few supportive men — this year’s event supports the Shoppers Drug Mart Weekend to End Women’s Cancers™, and The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer™, both benefiting The Campbell Family Institute at The Princess Margaret Hospital, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world, as well as the Tour for Kids™, which raises funds for children’s cancer camps and family support programs. New this year, a portion of proceeds will support Wellspring Halton-Peel, a local facility that provides a wide range of cancer support programs. The event also hopes to drive an additional 50 registrations for these fundraising events, which will generate a minimum of $60,000 in additional funding.

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Melody, Kristin, Johanna & Rebecca

Hosted by David and Kristin Courtney of MEDIchair Halton , the home medical equipment specialists, the popular annual networking reception at the Quality Suites Hotel was an evening showing their appreciation for their customers and friends. The evening was an opportunity for everyone to network with other healthcare professionals, to enjoy good food, fellowship and fun!

There were door prizes for everyone, pictures with Larry at his Photo2Go booth, complete with costumes, and wonderful jazz music by the Don Hall Trio. David and Kristin presented a cheque to the Willow Foundation, accepted by Councillor Roger Lapworth. The money will help seniors and disabled adults in the regionally run LTC Homes and Adult Day Programs.

Kristin and David Courtney and their staff at MEDIchair have a passion for offering solutions and helping others with physical disabilities live a life free of barriers and making life easier. Recipients of the 2011 Oakville Awards for Business Excellence in the Professional Service industry, MEDIchair is always involved in the Oakville community working closely with many local charitable organizations such as the Willow Foundation and Community Living Oakville.“Tis the season to be golfing in support of local charities,” according to Kristin Courtney.

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Aunt Lianne, Mom Valerie, Ayverie, Cinderella & Kiandr

“When I told Ayverie that she had cancer and she was going to lose her hair she said to me…… ‘Ok Mommy’. A couple hours later she came to me and asked if I would cut my hair and sell it to someone that needs hair. I began to tell her that I could donate my hair.

She then asked of we could have a party were everyone could donate hair and money for kids just like her sooooo………. Ayverie is getting her party and all are invited! There is going to be Cinderella, face painting by Sharron Jones and some hair cutting (Mommy … and Aunt Lianne are getting their heads shaved)!”

Ayverie Caster Smith is eight years old. She was successfully operated on for a malignant tumour, five centimeters long, on her brainstem in January 2013, thanks to the brilliant surgeons and staff at the McMaster Children’s Hospital. Ayverie was in the hospital for her eighth birthday and she has proven that nothing can stop her enthusiasm for life and living! By February 8th she was home and running around. Her radiation and chemotherapy treatments began the end of February and the plans for her wish, Ayverie’s Journey Fundraiser, had begun.

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Bonnie Anderson, Carol Goriup & Duncan McLeod

The Rotary Club of Oakville West (RCOW) was the proud recipient of funds raised by Florence Meats at their annual BBQ draw. A cheque in the amount of $2,100 was presented to RCOW President Duncan McLeod and fellow Rotarian Bonnie Anderson by Florence Meats co-owner Carol Goriup at the service club’s weekly breakfast meeting August 7.

This is the second time Florence Meats has chosen to support RCOW in its community initiatives, and once again the funds will benefit the local “Dreams Take Flight” project that provides under-privileged children with the opportunity to visit Disney World in Florida.

“This is an initiative that we are so pleased to support”, said Carol Goriup at the presentation. “Many of our Oakville customers are surprised that there is such a need in our community. For us to help build awareness through our BBQ campaign and make a difference in the lives of local children, we are happy to do so.”

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