Public Service Announcement
(Note to Editors: The following is a news release issued by the Communities in Bloom organization today.)
(Monday, February 11, 2008) - Halifax Regional Municipality received a 5-Star rating in the Over 50 000 population category of the 2007-2008 WinterLights Celebrations program, and won the Stinson Family Goodwill Programs criteria award. The annual awards ceremony was held in Saint John, New Brunswick on February 9, 2008.
The judges, Ivan Stinson and Dorota Grudniewicz, who evaluated Halifax Regional Municipality, think that Halifax Regional Municipality has "developed an excellent plan to bring the Vision Statement to fruition. The well-thought-out plan is organized around five key 'Campaigns for a Great City'. These campaigns serve as the objectives for shaping future growth for the Regional Centre and are significant for the historic, cultural and economic heart of the region and meaningful to the entire urban area and the communities that comprise the Halifax Regional Municipality. These plans affect positively both the Communities in Bloom and the WinterLights Celebrations".
Halifax Regional Municipality was presented with the Goodwill Programs criteria award based on the municipality's ability to target a broad spectrum of goodwill needs. The program concentrates on food and toys and the traditional Christmas hamper distributed by food banks, as well as a focus on providing for the needs of the homeless, battered women, those with addictions and troubled youth. The municipality, not-for-profit groups and individual residents are all active in supporting and organizing fund-raising events for charity.
WinterLights Celebrations is the winter edition of the popular Communities in Bloom program and encourages all Canadians to join in their local community events and activities, and to experience the beauty and thrill of winter.
For further information, please contact:
Halifax Regional Municipality: Rick DeVan ( 902-490-4872
Communities in Bloom
( 514-694-8871 email: leilaamro@cib-cef.com Web: www.winterlights.ca
*Don't hesitate to contact Communities in Bloom to obtain photos of the community.
Please visit our website for updates and information www.winterlights.ca
John O'Brien
Manager, Corporate Communications
Chief Administrative Office
(902) 490-6531
