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April 1-4th, 2010

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Two dollars may be a trivial amount of money to some, but put dozens of $2 donations together, and you just might have more than enough money to help people’s lives change for the better.

Matthew Barnabe, who owns Barnabe’s Your Independent Grocer here in the Town of Perth, Ontario, was pleased to announce that the President’s Choice Children’s Charity recently gave grants to two local families who have disabled children at home. The grants were taken out of the funds donated by regular customers and raised by the store’s employees.

Tracey Cote’s son Dylan Vardy, who suffers from daily seizures due to cerebral palsy, was the fortunate individual to receive a grant of $20,000 to be used in the purchase of a special van with a wheelchair. They got the grant as a Christmas gift two days before the 25th of December in 2009. Tracey says the van makes trips a lot easier and safer.

Perth resident Shawn O’Connor couldn’t be thankful enough after receiving a $4,000 grant for the purchase of a special mattress for his son, who also suffers from cerebral palsy. His condition has caused him to suffer from bed sores and skin ulcers, requiring him to have an expensive mattress his father could never afford to buy without assistance.

Barnabe said he’s proud to have lent a helping hand to those in need, and added that he couldn’t have done without the help of his staff and regular customers.

Perth’s history with Canada’s naval forces was recently celebrated through a special presentation at the annual Heritage Gala held at Code’s Mill.

HMCS Carleton’s commanding officer, Commander Mike Hopper was at the event to present Perth Mayor John Fenik with a specially framed picture of the naval warship named after the region, the HMSC Lanark. The presentation is but one of many events held in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Canada’s Navy, which was established in 1910.

Other special guests at the celebration were General Don McNaughton, who delivered a keynote speech, as well as Afghan ambassador to Canada, Jawed Ludin.

According to Commander Hopper, the centennial celebration’s theme is to “Bring the Navy to Canadians.” It is the Canadian Navy’s desire to highlight and strengthen the historic links between the navy and the different communities in the country, he said.

He added that while the Town of Perth is some 500 kilometers away from the nearest ocean, many of the town’s residents have joined the navy to serve their country. This presentation serves as a way of recognizing the sacrifice these men and women have made, he concluded.

Mayor Fenik on the other hand, was proud to accept the gift on behalf of Perth’s residents.