Join the Green Team for the Rideau River Cleanup – May 13 (Mother’s Day)!

What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than cleaning up Mother Earth?

There will be an annual cleanup of the Rideau River shores on Sunday May 13, 2007 (Mother’s Day). It is being organized by a wonderful community organization, the Urban Rideau Conservationists. The Green Party will have a team of volunteers, and I hope you will join us on the Green Team!

The Green Team is being organized by Jay Fitzsimmons of the Ottawa-Vanier Greens. We are hoping to branch out and include Green Party supporters from all Ottawa-area ridings – the more the merrier! David Chernushenko will lead a clean-up on the banks of his part of the river (Brewer Park), meeting at the Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club (see below) at 10am.

When: Mother’s Day: Sunday May 13, 2007. 10:00-1:00. Rain or shine!

Where: The cleanup will take place at three locations in Ottawa: New Edinburgh Park (Field House, 193 Stanley Ave.), the Rideau Tennis Club (1 Donald St.), and the Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club (176 Cameron Ave at Seneca St). Check http://urbanrideauconserve.blogspot.com for updates). Which location our Green Team will meet at will be determined based on preferences of team members.

What will volunteers do?

Clean up the shores! Jay and other organizers will supply garbage bags, recycling bins, and gloves. Wear grubby clothes, but try to wear green colours to distinguish our team.

How political will the event be?

The event is non-partisan – hopefully every political party will have teams of members cleaning the river (wishful thinking perhaps). Town Councillors Clive Doucet (Ward 17) and Jacques Legendre (Ward 13) are among the volunteers committed to the cleanup thus far. Members of our Green Team are asked to wear green clothing and/or Green Party apparel to politely and unobtrusively show our dedication to the environment. This welcomes other volunteers to approach us and ask questions about the Green Party if they wish to. The main focus is on cleaning up the environment.

Want to join the Green Team?
E-mail Jay Fitzsimmons at fitzsimmons10@yahoo.ca if you are interested in joining the Green Team. People who do not support the Green Party but wish to volunteer are encouraged to e-mail Project Coordinator Catherine Canning at cathcanning@hotmail.com. For updates, visit http://urbanrideauconserve.blogspot.com.