VANCOUVER, Feb. 10 – The Coca-Cola Company will honor individuals, families and organizations with the Coca-Cola Live Positively Award during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Each recipient was chosen because of his or her efforts to turn their passion for improving the well-being of Canadians into important changes that have positively impacted their local communities. With a focus on either active living or environmental sustainability, each recipient has a unique and inspirational story to share. The award ceremonies take place between February 13 and February 28 at 4:00 p.m. in the BCMC Media Theatre at Robson Square.

DATE      HONOREE

FEB. 13      Project Blue Sky: Project Blue Sky is an environmental public

              engagement initiative that uses the ’star power’ of Olympic,

              Paralympic and other athletes to encourage everyone to reduce

              their personal carbon footprint. Sharing stories, building

              communities and connecting with your favourite athlete are ways

              in which the project draws users.

 

FEB. 15      Gerald Butts: Gerald is President and CEO of WWF-Canada, the

              country’s largest environmental organization. Under Gerald’s

              leadership, WWF-Canada focuses its efforts on tackling our most

              significant conservation challenges, from freshwater to climate

              change and from species and wilderness preservation to helping

              Canadians live more sustainable lives.

 

 FEB. 15     University of British Columbia: In 1997, UBC became Canada’s

              first university to implement a sustainable development policy.

              A year later, the university opened Canada’s first

              Sustainability Office. UBC is committed to developing an

              environmentally-responsible campus that’s economically viable

              and reflects the values of campus community members. Stephen

              Toope, President and Vice Chancellor, UBC, will be accepting

              the award on behalf of the university.

 

FEB. 17      Canadian Olympic School Project: The Olympic School Program is

              the Canadian Olympic Committee’s primary education program,

              aiming to spread the positive message of the Olympic Games to

              all students between grades 2-12. The organization has been

              providing teachers with Olympic Games themed resources for over

              20 years.

 

 FEB. 18     Kelly Murumets: As president and CEO of ParticipACTION, Kelly

              has taken a dormant organization and has turned it into the

              driving force it is today, inspiring Canadians of all ages to

              get up and active. Every day, Kelly works towards achieving her

              vision of changing the way the world views active living.

 

FEB. 18      Rick Hansen: A celebrated athlete, a catalyst for change in

              society’s attitudes and a man dedicated to making a difference,

              Rick Hansen is best known as Canada’s Man In Motion. In his

              legendary Man In Motion World Tour, Rick wheeled more than

              40,000 km through 34 countries, raising $26 million for spinal

              cord injury research and quality of life programs. Now, as

              President & CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation, Rick has helped

              to generate more than $200 million for SCI research and quality

              of life programs.

 

FEB. 21      Jennifer Heil & Dominick Gauthier – on behalf of B2ten: B2ten

              is a not for profit organization that supports Canadian elite

              athletes so they may succeed at the highest level of

              international competition.

 

FEB. 23      Sami Jo Small: Sami Jo is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and

              the 2009 recipient of the Athletes CAN Leadership Award. Sami

              Jo is also the co-founder of the Canadian Women’s Hockey

              League. Her commitment to sport and her involvement in

              developing the Canadian Women’s Hockey League has helped create

              a forum for women across the country to participate in our

              nation’s sport at an elite level.

 

TBD            Tamara Taggart & Dave Genn: Tamara is a role model for all

              working mothers who face challenges in their everyday lives.

              She and her husband, Dave, live exceptionally positive lives

              and make every effort to spread that positivity within their

              community.

 

 

    TIME

    4:00 p.m.

    Award presentation

 

    LOCATION

    The BCMC Media Theatre at Robson Square

 

    PRESS INFORMATION

    All accredited and unaccredited media are invited to attend.

    Award winners will be available for interviews and photo opportunities.

    Visit the Coca-Cola news room online for information and images regarding the Coca-Cola Live    Positively Awards.

    Link: www.cokenews.com

 

ABOUT LIVE POSITIVELY

“Live Positively” represents The Coca-Cola Company’s philosophical approach to building sustainable communities through initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where it operates. The Live Positively concept grew from the recognition that sustainable growth for The Coca-Cola Company is integrally connected to both its business and its marketing success, as well as its societal role.

For further information: Kirsten Mihailides, The Coca-Cola Company, (604) 828-3534, kmihailides@na.ko.com; Mandy Dinning, Hill & Knowlton, (403) 831-3542, mandy.dinning@hillandknowlton.ca

Posted in: Active Living, Community, Environment