My Green is Showing

Owen caught a cold and missed school last Friday.  I tried my best not to catch it, but Monday morning I woke up feeling terrible.  I didn’t have any colds in the fall 2013/winter 2014 cold season so perhaps I am a little more susceptible this year.  That seems to be how it goes for me – a good year followed by a bad year.  I felt miserable until this morning.  I did have a nice surprise on Monday morning, though.

The Region of Peel is running a contest called Let Your Green Show.  From their website: “Let Your Green Show is back and, this summer, we are asking you to give your car a break. Use your car less by walking, carpooling, taking a bus, or riding a bike. Each month from June to September residents are invited to submit a selfie showing a green action.”  Each month three winners are chosen:  one each from Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.

I have made submissions every month.  In total, over the four months of the contest, only 107 actions were submitted.  I think I submitted seven which gave me a pretty good change of winning.  In July, I won: the “Experience Nature Package” which, according to the email I received, “includes a treetop trekking experience for 2 at Heartlake Conservation Area and a guided tour at Island Lake Conservation Area for you and up to 5 guests . The approximate retail value of this package is $250 CAD”.

My sister, nephews, Trystan, Owen and I went treetop trekking last Saturday.  It was good business to give away those tickets.  I purchased four tickets for $230 to use with the two tickets I won.

In September I submitted three images for the theme “Make Your Commute Green”.

There were only seven submitted in total.  I figured it was pretty likely that I would win and win I did.  The picture that won was the last one at the Tour de Mississauga. On Monday morning I received an email stating, “Congratulations! You are the winner from Brampton of our “Give Your Car a break! Make Your Commute Green” contest that ran from September 2, 2014 to September 26, 2014. As the winner of this contest, you will receive the “Commuting Companion Package” which includes a CAA Membership with a bike assist program, headphones, a travelling pillow case, a travel size umbrella, and a re-usable water proof tote bag to carry your commute package.  The approximate retail value of this package is $250 CAD. ”

So on Monday afternoon I met Susan at the CAA store and she bought me a CAA Plus membership with 200 km of free towing and “bike assist”.  So, if I get a flat, even on my bike, CAA will help me out.  CAA memberships belong to an individual whatever vehicle they are in.  So, Michael figured he should have a membership, too.  It cost me $95 for his membership.  So, again, winning has cost me money!

There are two more prizes available.  One for Peel’s “Greenest Resident”, the person who submitted the most actions during the contest and a draw for people who answered the contest survey after it closed.  I did the survey and as far as I know I submitted more actions than anyone else.  I might be getting another prize yet!

It was a fun contest.  Something similar will be run next year and I encourage your to enter if you are a resident of Peel.

Between the two prizes from the Let Your Green Show contest and the fitness pass I won at Bike The Creek in June I have won $900 worth of goods and services this year.  I don’t think I have ever been so lucky before.