OCWD Online - Press Release: TWO OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCES: OUR CHILDREN AND OUR WATER

NEWS | Press Release Library| 2001 Press Releases:

For Immediate Release: April 3, 2001

TWO OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCES: OUR CHILDREN AND OUR WATER
You Can Help Them Both By Participating in the Nation’s Largest Children’s water education Festival

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. – Blue Planet Foundation and Orange County Water District (OCWD) together with Disneyland Resort, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and OCWD’s Groundwater Guardian Team will present the nation’s largest children’s water education festival on May 1 and 2, 2001, at Hidden Valley Park in Irvine, Calif. Blue Planet is seeking sponsors and volunteers to participate in this award-winning event.

Entering a milestone year – 5 years of educating our youth about water – the festival is a fun, environmental education program designed to teach elementary school children (grades 3 and 4) about the interdependence of water, soil, plants, trees, animals and humans. Last year, the event drew more than 5,000 students from throughout Orange County. This year, nearly 6,000 students and teachers from 26 Orange County cities will attend the two-day festival.

Volunteers are needed during the two-day festival to help with a range of activities, from staffing one of the event’s 50 interactive booths to helping direct classes to their next event. To participate in the event as a volunteer, contact Julie Chesnut at (714) 257-1219.

Support of the event is essential to ensure its continued success. Organizations that contribute are helping to fund the transportation costs for schools to attend the Festival. Without these contributions, many Orange County students would not be able to participate in the event. In-kind donations are extremely helpful as well. Many of the activities require materials such as plastic cups, straws, napkins, ice cream, squirt guns, and many other items. Festival sponsors can receive recognition in the Festival’s program, on the entrance banner, or on the event’s official t-shirts. All contributions made to the Blue Planet Foundation for the Festival are tax deductible.

The Children’s Water Education Festival is about inspiring and educating children. The students learn about water because they’re having fun! They’re involved, they’re challenged, and they’re excited! This is a field trip like no other! There is no other place children have access to more than 50 environmental experts in such a fun and energizing atmosphere.

"For four years in a row, the Disneyland Resort has worked with Orange County Water District to teach children about water. It’s a powerful example that proves what can happen when government and industry work together for a common goal," said "T" Irby, Senior Vice-President of Facilities, Engineering and Construction for Disneyland Resort. "Not only are we a sponsor of the Festival, we are also a beneficiary. Watching these kids learn about water energizes and inspires us to continue making a difference in our environment."

To sponsor, donate activity supplies or present an activity at the event, contact the Blue Planet Foundation at (714) 378-3362.

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OCWD is a special agency created by the California Legislature to maintain and manage the groundwater basin under the northern and central areas of Orange County. The OCWD supplies 75 percent of the water needs to more than 2.7 million residents and businesses in Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, most of Irvine, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Orange, Placentia, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster and Yorba Linda.

For further information, contact:

Ron Wildermuth OCWD Public Information Officer
714-378-3351

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