NEWS RELEASE
SUNSHINE INITIATIVE
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Orillians will pitch ideas for making Orillia happier, healthier and more sustainable to their fellow citizens on Thursday, May 9 at the Geneva Event Centre in downtown Orillia (7-9 p.m).
Don Porter of the Geneva Event Centre is generously making his space available for this unusual public event, open to all residents of Orillia.
The Sunshine Initiatives’ “Orillia’s Choice Awards” will see five proponents pitch their ideas to esteemed panelists and a live audience of citizens.
The panelists will offer direct and indirect support to get good ideas started. Panelists will include: Jay Fallis, Orillia City Councillor; Thyme Thompson of the Orillia Youth Centre and Frank Matys of Orillia Today.
The Orillia’s Choice Awards is a project of the Sunshine Initiatives originated by Mayor Steve Clarke in 2015. Five proponents will each have five minutes to pitch their ideas. All ideas will be eligible to win a special “People’s Choice Award” based entirely on audience ballots.
Proposals will include:
- Making Orillia a “Bee City”;
- Building community through cycling;
- Ward walks;
- Junior Sunshine Initiatives; and
- Making Orillia an “age-friendly” city.
Proponents will hear feedback from the judges and the audience. They may also receive some financial backing to get started, as panelists will have cash grants available to disperse, as well as advice to support their chosen ideas.
Managing the evening will be in the capable hands of MC Mary O’Farrell-Bowers, former Dean of Georgian College’s Orillia campus.
Save Thursday evening, May 9 at 7 p.m. at the Geneva Event Centre. Cash bar and free snacks. Free admission (please register in advance here). Watch for updates in local media, or on Facebook.
Sponsors, citizens and members of the audience are invited to attend and support the initiatives they want to see happen!
Many thanks to our sponsors: Geneva Event Centre, Brewery Bay Food Co., Rustica Pizza Vino, Information Orillia, Wendy McQuaig Therapy, and Councillor Jay Fallis.
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