This email contains graphics. If you don't see them please click here to view online.
For Immediate Release
Heritage Heights School tops list of Great EcoKids Challenge
TORONTO (18/06/10)—Students of Heritage Heights School, DeWinton, Alberta were recognized as the national winner of Earth Day Canada’s Great EcoKids Challenge primary category on Friday. The students in Grade 2P were honoured for raising funds to build wells in Africa.
“I am impressed with the level of understanding these students have demonstrated in recognizing the importance of water,” said Jed Goldberg, President of Earth Day Canada.
“Clean drinking water is a critical issue and these young students took action to involve their community and educate others. Their efforts will have a lasting impact on children in communities previously without clean water.”
With the aid of a local artist, the students in Grade 2P at Heritage Heights School created water-related artwork. They decided that by turning their art into greeting cards, money could be raised to help African schools attain clean drinking water. So far they have collected over $600 for their initiative and sales of the cards continue.
The students became passionate about water issues when they realized that not everyone has access to clean drinking water and that many girls in Africa miss school so that they can collect water. To help raise awareness of the issue, each greeting card has information on the back about the social, health and environmental importance of water.
For their efforts, Sony of Canada Ltd., a proud sponsor of The Great EcoKids Challenge, awarded the students with Sony W-Series Walkman® MP3 Players and the co-ordinating teacher received a Sony Cybershot Digitial Camera.
The students in Grade 2P at Heritage Heights School felt that it was important to spread the message about water issues as far as they could. To help them with do this they also created an informational video to educate people about water in Africa.
EcoKids is Earth Day Canada's environmental education program for youth aged kindergarten through grade eight. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, EcoKids empowers young Canadians with environmental knowledge and hands-on activities, and presents this information in fun, exciting ways that increase awareness and encourage community involvement.
-30-
About Earth Day Canada
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. In 2004 it was recognized as the top environmental education organization in North America, for its innovative year-round programs and educational resources, by the Washington-based North American Association for Environmental Education, the world’s largest association of environmental educators. In 2008 it was chosen as Canada’s “Outstanding Non-profit Organization” by the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication. EDC regularly partners with thousands of organizations in all parts of Canada. www.earthday.ca
Contact: Keith Treffry | Communications Director | Earth Day Canada | 416.599.1991 x 107 | keith@earthday.ca
©2010 Earth Day Canada. To unsubscribe from our mailing list
The word mark “Earth Day” and the Earth Day logo are registered trademarks of Earth Day Canada (1991) Inc. Charitable registration # 13195 1378RR0001. Use of either of these trademarks for mercantile, promotional and communication purpose is strictly forbidden without the written approval of Earth Day Canada.