Even Moore Investment in Canadian Youth

Written for Call2Recycle web/newsletter, December 2013.

As you read this article, it will likely be minus 20 degrees Celsius and snowy in the small Canadian town of Lloydminster, about halfway between Edmonton and Saskatoon.  Lloydminster has the peculiar claim of being in both the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan at the same time, since the town is built directly on the East-West provincial border.

Similarly, on the cusp between November and December the town hosts the “Boundary Ford Curling Classic” event, drawing 24 teams internationally to compete for $24,000 in prize money.  It’s the third womens’ team event in the Asham World Curling Tour this year, and among those competing on the tour will be Team Moore, a womens’ curling team of four that Call2Recycle® is proudly sponsoring for the season.  Kristie Moore, Sarah Wilkes, Ashleigh Clark, and Kyla MacLachlan are competing over the four-month season for not only prize money but also for Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS) points.  These will decide whether the team  qualifies for the ‘Scotties Tournament of Hearts’ provincial playdown in Sylvan Lake, Alberta, in January 2014.

“We’re very grateful to Call2Recycle for its sponsorship,” explains Sarah Wilkes, team third.  “Although curling is very popular in Canada, amateur teams like ours still have to pay for accommodation during events and the flights to get there before we’ve even picked up a broom or a stone.  Just this season will likely cost $3,500 in entry fees alone.  Without sponsorship, there would be no Team Moore.”

Ontario goes ‘Beyond Green’

Written for Call2Recycle web/newsletter, November 2013.

In an effort to raise awareness of environmental issues, Earth Day Canada organised a first-of-its-kind event in Toronto, Ontario.  The ‘Beyond Green’ summit ran from October 25^th to the 27^th at the University of Toronto, drawing more than 1,000 young Canadians aged 14 to 30 years old from inside the province and out.  

Over 100 community groups and organisations were involved in dozens of panel discussions and workgroups over the three days.  Keynote presenters included: Emily Hunter, the documentary filmmaker and author; Majora Carter, urban revitalisation specialist; and Tom Rand, clean energy champion.  Perhaps most importantly, the last hour-and-a-half of the event on Sunday afternoon was devoted solely to ‘Action Panels’, i.e. how to turn the good ideas and intentions from the event into tangible achievements.  When it comes to environmental issues, making people aware of them is only half the battle.  Encouraging them to change their behaviour takes a proper plan and the perseverance to execute it. 

Call2Recycle partners with Earth Day Canada to educate and communicate the environmental values of proper end-of-life battery management.  Earth Day Canada (EDC), a national environmental charity founded in 1990, provides Canadians with the practical knowledge and tools they need to lessen their impact on the environment.  

If you’re ever spurred into creating your own awareness-raising initiatives and need some pointers, then find us on Facebook, or check out the “Resources” section of our website.