Calvin Kruk recognized posthumously as a Catalyst by United Nations Environment Programme at One Change gala event in Ottawa.

Faith Kruk and son Austin on hand at National Gallery to accept Award on behalf of the late Mayor of Dawson Creek, Calvin Kruk.

Earth Day. Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Great Hall, National Gallery of Canada

Hundreds gathered in Ottawa last Wednesday, April 15, with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) [1] North America Director Amy Fraenkel [2] to celebrate a local bright idea that has grown to an international NGO that empowers people to make smart choices that protect the environment. The event, called the One Change Catalyst Awards, was held to announce a new UNEP partnership with the award-winning Ottawa-based NGO and to recognize people and organizations that were critical to One Change’s exponential growth since its founding in 2005.

Among those in attendance at the gala event were Hon. Stéphane Dion [3], Vice Chair of Canada’s National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy David Chernushenko [4], CEO of Globe Electric Eddie Weinstein [5], Jason Lockhart of Innovative Research [6], and Faith Kruk, on behalf of His Worship the late Calvin Kruk, Mayor of Dawson Creek.

"The enthusiasm for One Change among the diverse attendees at their first Catalyst Awards reflects shared values and optimism that people around the world can make a concrete difference for the environment in their everyday lives,” said Amy Fraenkel, UNEP Director and Regional Representative.

One Change is better known in Dawson Creek for its Project Porchlight campaign, which was active in British Columbia in 2008. Since the first Project Porchlight campaign in 2005, campaigns have been run in four provinces and three states with over 10,000 volunteers and 2,000 community groups engaged to deliver 2 million free energy efficient light bulbs door to door in over 500 communities. Over 20,000 bulbs were handed out by volunteers in northeast BC, after Mayor Kruk invited the campaign to Dawson Creek.

The Catalyst Awards were presented to four outstanding community leaders and groups from across Canada and the United States who have acted as catalysts for significant environmental action by helping Project Porchlight grow into a North American-wide grassroots phenomenon.

Community Catalyst: His Worship the late Calvin Kruk, Mayor of Dawson Creek, BC
Political Catalyst: David McGuinty [7], MP (Ottawa South)
Corporate Catalyst: EnCana Corporation [8] (Calgary, Alberta)
NGO Catalyst: Vermont Energy Investment Corporation [9] (Burlington, VT)

Photos of the event can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/catalyst2009 [10]

His Worship the Late Calvin Kruk, Mayor of Dawson Creek, recognized as One Change’s Community Catalyst

The late Calvin Kruk, Mayor of Dawson Creek, was honoured with a Catalyst Award because of his unique passion for his community and for his commitment to environmental issues. Present to accept the award were Faith and Austin Kruk, wife and son of Mayor Kruk.

Mayor Kruk was a catalyst in bringing Project Porchlight to British Columbia in 2008. Because of his leadership, volunteers delivered 20,000 free energy-efficient light bulbs across the Northeast region of British Columbia and helped spread the message that simple actions matter. The campaign helped residents save $700,000 in electricity and cut more than 500 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions—the equivalent of taking 100 cars off the road for a year.

“Mayor Kruk was not just a mayor, but an environmental leader, a man of vision, and a community advocate,” said Stuart Hickox [11]. “He understood that while changing light bulbs won’t save the world, this simple action can change people.”

Through Mayor Kruk’s strong leadership and commitment to the environment, Dawson Creek has become a leader in community energy planning and actions, including conservation and developing alternative sources of energy.

For current news on One Change initiatives and events, or to volunteer, visit onechange.org [12].

For interview opportunities with Amy Fraenkel (UNEP), Stuart Hickox (One Change), or for more information about One Change, please contact:

Manon Crôteau, Communications and Outreach Manager, One Change:
manon@onechange.org [13] 1.866.585.6359, ext. 218 Mobile 613.263.0403

• To view an excellent article about Calvin Kruk titled "Calvin Kruk remembered" click here [14]
• View this document as a PDF [15].