By Alberto Sangalang | CEM Information Officer
The Caring of our Environment-Manitoba (CEM) Inc., a non-profit environmental organization, held an Appreciation and Holiday Celebration last November 23, 2019 at the Sir William Stephenson Library, Keewatin St. Winnipeg.
It was an afternoon get-together of raffle prizes, slideshow presentation, “getting to know each other”, food, fun and laughter with partner organizations, sponsors, local media, supporters, families, friends, and guests- young and old. Over 50 people attended.
CEM’s slideshow presentation featured all its awareness-raising activities that were launched since its creation in 2017 to promote knowledge and action on environment and sustainability issues. In his welcome remarks, CEM President Ramon Sales recognized the important contributions of volunteers for their gift of time, energy and enthusiastic support to help people make a difference in our community in pursuit of the CEM’s Vision, Mission and Goals.
The highlight of the event was the awarding of Certificates of Appreciation to CEM volunteers, donor/partner organizations and local Filipino newspapers. Among the awardees were the Canadian Beverage Container Recycling Association (CBCRA)/Recycle Everywhere, CEM’s major partner organization, for its generous and continued support for CEM’s activities, and Green Action Centre, which co-sponsored, along with CBCRA, a workshop on waste recycling, reduction and composting.
CEM also recognized the important contributions of the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival (MFSF) and Filipino Food Trip Festival for their joint initiative on raising awareness of event participants on waste recycling and reduction. At the MFSF event, CEM, together with CBCRA-Recycle Everywhere, had set up information booth, distributed at least 1,800 recycling bags to event participants, and helped deploy at least 70 recycling bins within the two event sites and helped with their proper disposal. CEM also awarded local Filipino newspapers, namely, Artista Newsmagazine, Filipino Journal and Pilipino Express for their support for CEM’s goal of increasing public awareness on environment and sustainability issues.
At this event, Ms. Melissa Dorota, Senior Outreach Coordinator of CBCRA/Recycle Everywhere presented an award to CEM as “Recycle Everywhere Champions 2019”. This was the first award given by CBCRA/Recycle Everywhere to a Filipino organization in Winnipeg.
The CEM would like to thank all attendees for their presence and participation and is deeply grateful for the generosity of sponsors. Door prize donors were the Recycle Everywhere, Midland Appliance World, MR. PEG, Ms. Gina Gabriel of LandMhel Real Estate Services, Ms. Linda Christine Mallari of Bayfield Mortgage and True Life House, University of the Philippines Alumni and Associates in Manitoba (UPAA-MB), Masagana Flower Farms and Studio, and Peter Tan. CEM is looking forward to the continued support for its upcoming environmental awareness- raising events and workshops.
For inquiries, please send an email to CEM at caring4environment@gmail.com.
