The 12th Annual Mimico Summer Festival – Party in the Park rolled onto the lawn of Mimico Memorial Park on June 23 in celebration of this year’s theme: Going Green. Member of Parliament and Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada Michael Ignatieff [1] invited One Change [2] to attend the event in his Etobicoke-Lakeshore riding, and we were more than happy to oblige.

With compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs in tow, One Change Founder and Executive Director Stuart Hickox, as well as Campaigns Organizer Natalia Snajdr (pictured here with Ignatieff), arrived at Party in the Park in their very best One Change garb. “The Party offered something for everyone, so there was a fantastic turnout,” Natalia says of the event, which included kids’ fun zones, live jazz, book signings, a BBQ, and displays from nearly a dozen environmental groups.

Thanks to the great variety of activities, hundreds of people joined the Party and many stopped by our booth to chat. We filled everyone in on the money and energy they can save by switching to CFL bulbs, and got the message out that they can make a difference by making simple, smart choices to protect the environment. Among the people we spoke to was the Honourable Jean Augustine, PC, former Minister of State (Multiculturalism and Status of Women) and former MP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore, who joined Michael Ignatieff as the event’s other dignitary.

“We were honoured to be recognized by Michael Ignatieff and the Honourable Jean Augustine as making a valuable contribution toward going green,” says Natalia, who helped distribute 400 energy-efficient light bulbs at the Party, including 100 that were donated to Women's Habitat of Etobicoke [3], a local women’s shelter. “Being able to reach people at the community level, and seeing firsthand that we really do have an impact, makes these events so rewarding,” says Natalia. “And the great food and activities don’t hurt, either!”