While his recent role as the morally bankrupt Richard Fitzpatrick might have been a huge departure for Jason Priestley, his latest project proves the actor still has some Brandon left in him.
Priestley is ambassador for the Children’s Safe Drinking Water (CSDW), reaching out to the 80 per cent of Canadians who take clean drinking water for granted.
“We are very fortunate as Canadians to have an abundance of clean safe drinking water. When the problem in the developing world was brought to my attention, as a parent, the numbers were staggering. To be a parent and not be able to provide for my children would be devastating for me,” says the 90210 alumnus.
CSDW, has partnered with Walmart and Procter & Gamble to raise awareness about the drinking water crisis. According to the World Health Organization, more than one billion people in the developing world go without safe drinking water, and more than 1,600 children die every day from related diseases.
Priestley saw this as not only an opportunity to help other parents, but also teach his daughter Ava, 6, and 4-year-old son Dashiell about the importance of environmental awareness and outreach.
“I think it needs to be taught. And I think that charity needs to be taught. My family has been very blessed in our lives, so its very important to teach my children about the value of charity and about the value of community, and how important it is to share with others that maybe aren’t as fortunate as you are.”
Since their development, P&G water purification packets have purified more than 7 billion liters of water (scan with Layar to see it in action), preventing an estimated 290+ million days of illness and helping to save more than 39,000 lives, in a world where contaminated water kills more children than malaria and HIV/AIDS combined.
During the month of April, for every P&G product purchased at Walmart or Walmart.ca, P&G Canada will donate a day’s worth of clean drinking water to the CSDW Fund. And, after this month, another 20 P&G products, including Tide, Pampers, Duracell, Dawn, and Pantene, will have a year-long donation period through to March 31, 2015.
“It’s a phenomenal opportunity for Canadians to be able to help this problem without doing anything outside of what they normally do,” says Priestley. “You can just buy the P&G products that you normally buy, and they will take care of donating the clean, safe drinking water for you.”
While he spends most of his year in water-conscious LA, the Vancouver-born actor was in town last week for the theatrical release of his feature film directorial début, Canadian road trip comedy Cas & Dylan. He also recently won a Canadian Screen award for Best Comedy Actor for Richard Fitzpatrick, his flawed used car salesmen in Call Me Fitz.
Unfortunately the cast won’t be returning to shoot a fifth season, but Priestley already has two projects (a comedy and a drama) in development awaiting the green light.
And he is working towards CSDW’s goal of providing 25 million days worth of clean drinking water to those who need it.
You can go to Walmart.ca/en/cleanwater to learn more.
Earth Day events
Celebrated by 175 countries and more than half a billion people worldwide, Earth Day (April 22) has earned the title of world’s largest secular holiday. Falling so close to Easter this year, however, many annual local Earth Day events have been shuffled around, so here are some great ways to celebrate the Earth, no matter the day.
April 18: Robson Whole Foods, 2pm to 6pm
Grab your buckets kids, but we’re not headed to the beach. The Robson Street Whole Foods location is hosting a parking lot compost giveaway. Bring your own pail to take home two bucket-loads for free.
April 21: Earth Day Parade, 11am to 3pm
Organized by Windermere High School’s Youth 4 Climate Justice Now and supported by the Wilderness Committee, the Commercial Drive parade is an annual celebration of positive change with a focus on global warming and climate justice. Participants are encouraged to bring signs, costumes, art, bikes, friends and family. The parade starts Commercial and 8th and heads northward to Grandview Park. Entertainment includes live music by Buckman Coe, a family tent, hands-on activities, and guest speaker David Suzuki. EarthDayParade.ca.
April 26: Earth Day, 11am to 3pm
Vancouver’s longest running Earth Day celebration carries on tradition at Everett Crowley Park (Kerr Road at E. 64th). Hosted by the Everett Crowley Park Committee, the free event includes the planting of 1,000 native trees and shrubs supplied by the Park Board, educational games and exhibits and kids’ activities.
June 8: World Ocean Day celebration at Kits Beach
More than 200 people attended Surfrider Foundation Vancouver's 'Earth Month' Kits Beach cleanup April 12. If you missed out, they’re doing it all again for World Ocean Day. Bring your gloves and eagle eyes — those cigarette butts aren’t going to appropriately relocate themselves. Meet at Kitsilano Beach Park (in front of the Boathouse) at 1499 Arbutus.
