Reward Your Child's School and Community with Up To $1,000 from BC Hydro

This February, you can help reward the sustainability efforts of schools and communities throughout the province by participating in this year’s BC Hydro Community Champion award.

 

If you know of a child in Grades 4 to 12, their class is eligible to nominate a not-for-profit organization, community group or environmentally-focused school group to be their local community champion and be awarded up to $1,000 towards their programs.

 

Now in its fourth year, BC Hydro’s Community Investment group is challenging students across the province to nominate their local Community Champions. Students are encouraged to nominate organizations, individuals or groups that have created positive impacts in your community through sustainability, conservation or environmental initiatives. Preference is given to initiatives that assist young people in understanding and participating in environment activities in local communities. 

 

Those involved with not-for-profit environmentally-focused groups or organizations that have programs that engage youth at school also qualify for the award. Although they can not nominate themselves, they can cascade this opportunity to schools for nomination.

 

All nominating schools will be entered into a random draw for one of three $200 donations towards their next sustainability project. Classes that submit winning nominations will receive a certificate from BC Hydro’s Community Investment group honouring their participation and celebrating their achievements. 

 

To participate in this program, the class nomination does not need to be long, just 100-250 words describing how the organization, group, or school project benefits the community and engages youth through their environmentally-focused program. Nomination deadline is February 1, 2010.

 

Last year, 21 schools from across the province submitted nominations. Many of the organizations nominated were community leaders that helped young people understand and participate in various environmental activities, including sustainable farming and stream clean-ups.

  

Awards given ranged from $250 to $1,000, and three schools were randomly drawn for a $200 award for their next sustainability project.  Many of the students and environmental groups were recognized both during school award ceremonies and by local media.

 

The BC Hydro Community Champion program is an opportunity for youth to engage with their local community groups to learn how to make an environmental difference and how to be a positive force in their local community. It works in concert with other Power Smart youth initiatives and the conservation ethic already introduced by BC Hydro. 

 

For more information, contact Edna Alle at 604-623-3617.