FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2008
VICTORIA – A province wide Special Places campaign kicked off today at Victoria City Hall with local political representatives and developers getting into bed together in support of British Columbians donating their $100 carbon tax refund to support innovative homelessness projects and secure community green space.
The fundraising campaign sponsored by The Land Conservancy and This Community Cares Foundation wants to inspire and excite British Columbians to support local projects aimed at ending homelessness and protecting valuable green space.
“It’s our values that will help us get through the changes we need to make as we respond to climate change,” said Joe Van Belleghem of This Community Cares Foundation and Windmill West. The Foundation will distribute half of the money raised directly to eight projects that help people move beyond homelessness or temporary shelter to more secure housing, self-reliance and independence. The projects are in Victoria, Nanaimo, Prince George, Kelowna, Surrey, and Vancouver.
The Land Conservancy will use the other half to give permanent protection to special places like community green space, natural areas for our children to play and community garden and farm properties.
“This is a great day for British Columbians to show they are looking towards the future,” said Ian Fawcett of The Land Conservancy. “We are asking everyone to use their $100 to take lasting steps toward combating climate change. If we all pull together we can achieve great for future generations. Just imagine what can be accomplished if even 10% of British Columbians join in to take action.”
“Secure housing is a fundamental building block of healthy families and communities,” said Van Belleghem. “Each of these projects shows an innovative approach that points the way to a better future.”
Local developers, including Three Point Properties, Windmill West, Westhills, Chard Development Ltd. and Tri-Eagle Development Corporation are actively supporting this initiative and challenging other developers to join the campaign.
For more information on how to donate, local kick-off events, the projects and the campaign, go to the Special Places campaign website at: www.specialplacesbc.ca
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| Contact: | Jane McCannell This Community Cares Foundation (250) 598-7240 Cell: (250) 589-1721 jmccannell*at*shaw.ca |
Ian Fawcett Deputy Executive Director The Land Conservancy of BC (250) 479-8053 Cell: (250) 888-1608 ifawcett*at*conservancy.bc.ca |
This Community Cares Foundation
This Community Cares is a provincial, non-profit society formed to help build sustainable communities in British Columbia through the provision of funds for inspiring, innovative programs aimed at ending homelessness across the province. We believe housing is a fundamental building block of inclusive, healthy families and communities.
www.thiscommunitycares.com
The Land Conservancy
The Land Conservancy is a not-for-profit, charitable land trust and conservation organization that works throughout British Columbia. Our mission is to create a culture of conservation in B.C. that results in the protection, in perpetuity, of our province’s natural, cultural and agricultural heritage and that fosters a healthy, balanced quality of life for all.
www.conservancy.bc.ca
