Nourishing Grassroots for Canada’s World Water Day

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Nourishing Grassroots for Canada’s World Water Day

HAMILTON ON, March 17th, 2015
In record numbers, Canadians are taking action in support of World Water Day (March 22nd). This year, they are turning to over 100 grassroots, non-profit organizations officially marking World Water Day by launching rain barrel sales to raise funds for their local projects. Whether it be donating to local or distant charities, providing assistance directly to those in need in their community, building beautiful outdoor spaces, or promoting sustainability, these schools, horticultural societies, service clubs, and faith-based groups, all recognize the importance of water conservation and the role rain barrels can play in the sustainable management of our limited water resources.

As we begin the annual transition from winter to spring, more Canadians than ever before have experienced the impact climate change can have on their reliance on water. Frozen pipes have been a significant issue for communities across Ontario and in neighbouring provinces, causing some residents to go more than a week without running water. Droughts and their resulting watering bans occur in many metropolitan areas each summer. In some areas rains and poor drainage lead to flooding at homes and rising water levels in our rivers. At the same time, municipalities are learning they will need to budget much more to fund repairs to related infrastructure. This year, World Water Day may deserve a little more of our attention like its better known relatives, Earth Hour (Mar 28^th) and Earth Day (April 22^nd).

World Water Day, first celebrated in 1993, was designated by the UN to highlight the importance of fresh water and to advocate for sustainable management of our water resources. “Water and Sustainable Development” is the theme for 2015 and focuses on all areas where water is linked to the future we want.

Water is at the core of sustainable development. Water resources, and the range of services they provide, underpin poverty reduction, economic growth and environmental sustainability. From food and energy security to human and environmental health, water contributes to improvements in social well-being and inclusive growth, affecting the livelihoods of billions.

Canadians can do their part to conserve water while nourishing organizations that promote sustainable water practices by supporting a local rain barrel sale. Sale locations can be found at www.RainBarrel.ca.

Rain barrels provide a free source of water that is ideal for vegetables, trees, lawns and plants because it does not contain fluoride and chlorine which are added to many municipal water systems. Rain barrels can reduce flooding potential and divert rainwater from storm sewers thus reducing the introduction of surface contaminants such as oil into our natural waterways. When outdoor water restrictions are in place, water from a rain barrel can be used to wash vehicles, water lawns, clean floors and do laundry. Having a source of stored water can be beneficial if an emergency ever arises.

The WorldWaterDay.ca website is presented as a resource for Canadians to share water related information and events. For more details on World Water Day, view our video by clicking here.

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About RainBarrel.ca – RainBarrel.ca reclaims food grade barrels and re-purposes them as rain barrels. Once used to transport fruits and vegetables, they now offer years of reliable service as rain barrels. Partnering with various non-profit organizations, RainBarrel.ca helps stage truckload fundraisers in communities across Canada with new communities added each week. Several municipalities distribute our newly manufactured rain barrels at a reduced cost to their residents. For more information, please contact Larry Pomerantz at [email protected], 905-545-5577, or visit www.RainBarrel.ca. See the attached list for local community contacts and sale event information.

RainBarrel.ca is a proud supporter of the Ecologos Water Docs Film Festival, March 21 to 29 at the Art Gallery of Ontario. For more information, please visit waterdocs.ca.

Local Community Contacts
(Click a partner name to visit their webpage.)

EcoClub of Pickering High School	Ajax, ON
Glengarry Memorial Hospital	Alexandria, ON
Madawaska Valley Lions Club	Barry’s Bay, ON
Employment Help Centre – Vineland Community	Beamsville, ON
Beaverton Agricultural Society	Beaverton, ON
Quinte Christian High School	Belleville, ON
James Hillier School	Brantford, ON
Woodview Children’s Centre	Burlington, ON
Preston Heights Community Group	Cambridge, ON
Cannington Horticultural Society	Cannington, ON
Lanark Navy League	Carleton Place, ON
Chelmsford Valley District Composite School	Chelmsford, ON
Chemainus Dry Grad	Chemainus, BC
Vanastra Recreation Centre	Clinton, ON
Habitat for Humanity Northumberland	Cobourg, ON
Notre Dame Catholic School	Cobourg, ON
Rossville School	Coleville, SK
Crystal City Parklane Theatre	Crystal City, MB
Kin Club of Drayton Valley	Drayton Valley, AB
EMBRACE Events	Etobicoke, ON
Thames Road Elimville Community Park	Exeter, ON
OLG Mohawk Racetracks	Flamborough, ON
1st Mildmay Scouting	Formosa, ON
Aylmer United Church	Gatineau, QC
Grimsby Kinette Club	Grimsby, ON
Centennial CVI – Social Responsibility Club	Guelph, ON
eMERGE Guelph Sustainability	Guelph, ON
Optimists Club	Guelph, ON
Hagersville Secondary School	Hagersville, ON
Culture for Kids in the Arts	Hamilton, ON
Hamilton Sings!	Hamilton, ON
St. Luke’s Anglican Church	Hamilton, ON
Community Living Hanover & Area	Hanover, ON
Hazlet School Art Club	Hazlet, SK
The Lesser Slave Watershed Council	High Prairie, AB
Ingersoll Youth Advisory / Fusion Youth Activity	Ingersoll, ON
3rd Kanata Venturer Company	Kanata, ON
Forest Hill’s TreeGeneration	Kitchener, ON
Emily Carr Public School	London, ON
London Central Lions Club	London, ON
Martintown & District Horticultural Society	Martintown, ON
Merrickville Goes Green	Merrickville, ON
County Sustainability Group	Milford, ON
The Old Millbrook School Family Centre	Millbrook, ON
Country Heritage Agricultural Society	Milton, ON
Milverton Agricultural Society	Milverton, ON
Friends of Ecological Environment Learning	Minden, ON
Unitarian Congregation in Mississauga	Mississauga, ON
Mount Brydges United Church	Mount Brydges, ON
Victoria Cross Public School	Mount Forest, ON
Lakeview Public School Council	Nepean, ON
Stem Cells for Brynn	Nepean, ON
Dr. Denison Secondary School	Newmarket, ON
Windfall Ecology Centre	Newmarket, ON
Harmony Place Support Services	North York, ON
1st Omemee Scouting	Orleans, ON
Club Écologique de l’École secondaire catholique Garneau	Orleans, ON
Unifor Durham Regional Environment Council	Oshawa, ON
62e Groupe Scout d’Ottawa	Ottawa, ON
Autism Ontario	Ottawa, ON
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School	Petawawa, ON
Friends of Honduran Children Adult Awareness	Peterborough, ON
Holy Cross Eco-Schools	Peterborough, ON
Kawartha Community Church	Peterborough, ON
St. Theresa’s Elementary School	Peterborough, ON
Beynon Fields Public School	Richmond Hill, ON
Sault Ste. Marie Friendship Centre	Sault Ste. Marie, ON
West Hill Highland Creek Lions Club	Scarborough, ON
St. James Major Catholic Church	Sharbot Lake, ON
Southampton Propeller Club	Southampton, ON
St. Brieux Me to We	St. Brieux, SK
Calvary Christian School	St. Catharines, ON
Denis Morris Catholic High School	St. Catharines, ON
Township of Woolwich Environmental Enhancement	St. Jacobs, ON
St. Marys Kinettes	St. Marys, ON
Lions Club of St. Thomas	St. Thomas, ON
Sudbury Green Party of Canada	Sudbury, ON
Sutton Kinettes	Sutton, ON
EcoSuperior	Thunder Bay, ON
Kinsmen Club of Timmins	Timmins, ON
Brookside Public School	Toronto, ON
Evergreen	Toronto, ON
Heritage Park Public School	Toronto, ON
Toronto Zoo	Toronto, ON
Toronto & Region Conservation Authority	Toronto, ON
Waterloo Cooperative Preschool	Waterloo, ON
Father Leo J. Austin Green Team	Whitby, ON
Erie Wildlife Rescue	Windsor, ON
Girl Guides of Canada – Caddy Lake Camp	Winnipeg, MB
St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church	Winona, ON

For the most up-to-date list of partners, visit www.RainBarrel.ca/sales.