2008 FEATURE TOPIC

FEATURE TOPIC – 2008
Think Global - Act Local

Community driven projects and the fulfilling spirit of volunteerism are the heart of our community

** STUDENTS **
WOULD YOU LIKE TO EARN EXTRA MONEY?
DO YOU NEED YOUR HIGH SCHOOL HOURS?
Community Care Durham Ajax-Pickering needs reliable helpers to rake leaves, cut grass and shovel walkways and driveways for clients in the Pickering area. The rate of pay is $8 - $10 an hour which is paid to the helper. These tasks can be performed for community service hours needed for graduation.
We are also looking for people to volunteer to help with the many services available to our clients. Some of these service include: Friendly Visiting, Meals-on-Wheels, Luncheon Out, Office Administration and transportation to medical appointments or grocery shopping. If you have a few hours to spare, you can help improve the quality of life for others.
Call our office at: 905-837-0017

Valley Plentiful Community Garden
Our first year has been an incredible success!! We’ve gone from 8 gardeners to 28 for next year at our HWY 2 location next to Pickering Produce in Princess Diana Park.
Come Grow with Us & Become a Gardener!
If you are a resident of Pickering you too can rent a garden bed. Members of community groups and schools are welcome. There are also communal beds for those who want to share with the community through various social agencies. You can also join our committee, join in work days, or become a donor.
Please contact the coordinator at 905.420.9843, valleyplentiful@gmail.com or Councillor Littley at 905.420.4608

Friends of the Rouge Watershed
Enjoy the great outdoors, just
around the corner in the Rouge Park!
Planting volunteers are needed weekdays to assist with school group plantings.
In the early evening and on weekends volunteers needed to help collect wild tree and flower seeds throughout the Rouge Park.
No experience necessary - On-site Instruction.
Great activity for friends and family.
Call us and we’ll find the perfect event for you!
Contact 416.208.0252, www.frw.ca

Environmental Stewardship Pickering
& Pickering’s Urban Forest Strategy
Environmental Stewardship Pickering (ESP) is an initiative to expand the work of the successful Frenchman’s Bay Watershed Rehabilitation Project to cover the entire City of Pickering. In June 2008, the City of Pickering, Ontario Power Generation and Toronto and Region Conservation invited a wide range of environmental and other community organizations together to see if there was an interest in joining forces under the heading of Environmental Stewardship Pickering (ESP). The response was a resounding YES.
For many years, residents have been active in environmental projects in Pickering. We can all connect through our common interest in the environment. We want to share knowledge, volunteers and financial resources. To show that many small community efforts add up to big changes for the environment in Pickering.
We look forward to building upon our past success and future endeavours such as Councillor Littley’s motion introducing an Urban Forest Strategy to Pickering. A core group of Pickering representatives interested in fostering a sense of ownership, pride and knowledge about the natural environment in Pickering is a great way to think global - act local. Groups and individuals welcome!
Send your events or get involved by contacting stewardship@city.pickering.on.ca or Councillor Littley at blittley@city.pickering.on.ca, 905.420.4608

The United Way of Ajax-Pickering-Uxbridge has started their 2008 fundraising campaign. The campaign runs till the end of the year. Money raised funds more than 50 program offered by 29 agencies.
Some of the issues the United Way take on include: poverty, abuse, homelessness, violence, emotional and physical health, child, seniors, youth, unemployment and many more.
“We know these are uncertain economic times. The programs funded by the United Way are more vital than ever. The services protect the most vulnerable” says Edna Klazek, Chief Executive Director.
To donate or volunteer contact: 905-686-0606, office@uwayapu.org, www.uwayapu.org

Celebrating Local Food
The Human Dinner Plate Project
We hope to bring approximately one thousand people to a farmer's field in Pickering next autumn to form an image of a dinner plate filled with vegetables and fruits. At this event an aerial photograph will be taken and this image will be circulated worldwide.
"Celebrating Local Food : The Dinner Plate Project" will be an amazing opportunity to bring together, farmers, artists, food activists , climate activists and the people of the GTA to celebrate our farmers , farmland and harvest time.
This event will draw needed attention to our rapidly diminishing farm communities and farmlands around the GTA and to encourage us all to reduce our carbon footprint by supporting locally grown food and the development of sustainable land-use policies.
To volunteer or information contact:
Melissa Morgan 416-878-5287 /905-649-2763
celebratinglocalfood@rogers.com www.celebratinglocalfood.ca

Durham Sustain Ability develops sustainability programs and supports actions by municipalities,
businesses, community groups and individuals - practical actions that help us all learn how to achieve the balance required to move toward a sustainable future.
As we learn to balance environmental, economic and social objectives, our journey - like riding a bicycle - can be simple, joyous, and efficient.
Find out how to reduce your personal ecological footprint today!
Sign up for our e-list Newsletter, contact: 905.427.0061, info@sustain-ability.ca, Visit, www.sustain-ability.ca