GRANDE PRAIRIE – Aquatera Utilities Inc. is encouraging non-profit organizations within its service region to apply for the Bottle Donation Program, a program that has given back more than $890,000 to its community.
“Aquatera takes great pride in Helping Grow Healthy Communities,” says Sarah Martin, Public Relations and Communications Specialist. “The Bottle Donation Program is a great way to help our environment and support local charitable initiatives.”
The Bottle Donation Program is a partnership between Aquatera and Recycle Plus, a community-based non-profit organization owned and operated by Signature Support Services.
Ryan Mysko, Business Analyst with Aquatera and Board Chair of Signature Support Services, says that the organization’s vision began with the goal of providing supports for persons with disabilities, but has since expanded to give back to the community in other ways.
“Signature Support Services and Recycle Plus are dedicated to having a positive impact on our community,” Mysko says. “Owning and operating Recycle Plus allows us to create these opportunities and partner with like-minded organizations who share the same commitment, such as Aquatera and the Bottle Donation Program.”
Every month, a non-profit organization in Aquatera’s service region is selected as the recipient of the Bottle Donation Program and receives a donation totaling the amount in the donation bin. Each year, approximately $50,000 from recycling refunds goes back into the Grande Prairie community.
“It is wonderful to see the impact that this program has had on our environment,” says Martin. “But even more encouraging is knowing the significance it has made in the lives of those in need in our community.”
Darren Foley of 3D Children’s Society says that the Bottle Donation Program has been critical to their ability to provide support to children in need.
“We use the funds from the Aquatera Bottle Donation Program to fulfill two main priorities. The first priority is to help students and their families offset the financial cost of travelling to children’s hospitals, which can be overwhelming for families. The second priority is to fulfill the demand for needed medical equipment, such as wheelchair lifts or portable wheelchair ramps. The partnership between the 3D Children’s Society and Aquatera is a special relationship that allows the greater community, through their donations, to support children in our community.”
Jennifer Douglas, Executive Director of Peace Area Riding for the Disabled Society (PARDS), says that Aquatera’s Bottle Donation Program gives community members a simple and impactful opportunity to support organizations they care about, while positively affecting the environment.
“PARDS Therapeutic Centre is proud to have been chosen as a charity partner of this program many times over the years. PARDS is committed to enhancing the quality of life for our riders and partnering with Aquatera through the Bottle Donation Program helps provide vital funds to ensure our community has access to the valuable and effective Equine Assisted Therapeutic Programs that we offer to children, youth and adults of all ages and abilities.”
When selecting recipients for the Bottle Donation Program, Aquatera focuses on organizations that have the youth community in mind. To be eligible, recipients must meet the following criteria:
- Be a non-profit organization within the Aquatera service area – City of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie, Town of Sexsmith, Town of Wembley,
- Provide programs and/or services that target youth under the age of 18, and
- Apply funds received directly to the enhancement and/or support of youth programs and services provided.
Organizations looking to apply for the Bottle Donation Program can fill out the application form at www.aquatera.ca/bottledonationprogram. The deadline to apply is March 15.
Those looking to support recipients through this program can take their bottles and cans to the Eco Centre, the Aquatera Landfill or either of the Recycle Plus Bottle Depots.
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Aquatera Utilities Inc. is the Grande Prairie region’s provider of water, wastewater and solid waste services. Its core purpose is “Helping Grow Healthy Communities,” and aims to have the best people providing the best service for the best value.
Media contact:
Sarah Martin, Public Relations and Communications Specialist
Aquatera Utilities Inc.
P: 780.830.5012 | C: 867.445.6487