“It’s our annual coming-of-summer fundraiser,” says the Ecology Action Centre’s Stephanie Hughes of the centre’s 15th annual outdoor brouhaha. “It’s our largest fundraiser so through this event which includes a plant sale—hence garden party—silent auction and live auction, we raise thousands of dollars for EAC projects and core expenses.” Hosted by CBC Radio’s Olga Milosevich, with Cathy Jones pulling auctioneer duty—there’s a comedy team in the making—the day makes for a good place, says Hughes, to “learn about not just about the EAC but businesses trying to do something in a responsible and sustainable way. We have tens of thousands of dollars of things that have been donated: workshops and classes, energy audits, things from spas, local cafes, restaurants and bookstores; we have great weekend getaways, concert and festival tickets.” Other auction items include EAC staff members offering unique opportunities such as fly fishing and bread-making lessons. “The event has its own identity now,” says Hughes. “People know to look forward to it every June.”
1641 Fairfield Road, 490-4688, ecologyaction.ca, $7/$5 students/ seniors/unwaged, Sun Jun 10, noon-3pm, ecologyaction.ca
This article appears in Jun 7-13, 2012.
