SOURCE:
https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Beacon-Falls-residents-set-up-Signs-of-Hope-15200196.php
April 14, 2020
NEW HAVEN — Rock to Rock is transitioning to a virtual event to celebrate the 50th Earth Day, to take real action in response to the climate emergency, and to raise critical support for local environmental organizations, while respecting important public health guidance about social distancing. Partner organizations brainstormed for ways to allow individuals/families to participate in safe actions while supporting the dozens of nonprofits who rely on this event to raise funds for their critical efforts to save the planet. One new action Rock to Rock is taking is partnering with New Haven Climate Movement to invite residents to participate in an at-home Earth Day Festival, which will include yard decorating, sign making, online Green New Deal rally, youth led Kahoot game and a guided reflection, April 21-22.
Fundraising has begun with 36 Rock to Rock partners. Many of partners are stepping up in new ways to help the community, including delivering local, fresh food to neighbors who are at home; moving educational programs online to reach children; helping people plant vegetable gardens at home; and providing support to the most vulnerable neighbors. An ongoing fundraising match is being offered by Devil’s Gear Bike Shop, matching 20 percent of every donation made in support of participants, until the fund reaches its max of $10,000.
By registering on the website, www.RocktoRock.org, participants can self-select to ride or walk and/or take an alternative environmental action showing their support for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. The advantage of this online platform is that participants can utilize it to raise funds for the many nonprofit agencies from the Greater New Haven area doing critical work to protect and further efforts at a greener, healthier community. Registration for participants will remain open until April 25. Individuals are urged to support these organizations who grow food, keep city greenways clean and provide safe, outdoor activities for inner city youth. Participants are eligible to win many exciting prizes.
For example, two registered participants will win a new bike (valued at $350) from the Devil’s Gear: one for top fundraiser; and one for the most spirit-- the person who posts the most creative video or photo of their Rock to Rock experience and posts it to a social media platform by April 30, using one of the hashtags: #MyRockToRock and #RockToRock2020.
Rock to Rock Partners in 2020 include Common Ground High School, Urban Farm, and Environmental Education Center, New Haven Leon Sister City Project, New Haven Department of Parks, Recreation and Trees, New Haven Urban Resources Initiative (URI), 350CT, Albert Schweitzer Institute at Quinnipiac University, Art25 - Lots of Fish, Citizen's Campaign for the Environment, Citizens' Climate Lobby, CitySeed, Climate Healers, Columbus House, Community Place-making and Engagement Network (CPEN), Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC), CT Core - Organize Now!, Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK), EcoWorks, Inc., Elm City Cycling, Farmington Canal Rail to Trail Association, FISH of Greater New Haven, Friends of Beaver Ponds Park, Friends of Edgewood Park, Gather New Haven (merged New Haven Land Trust / New Haven Farms), Hamden Land Conservation Trust, Haven's Harvest, Inspired Communities, Inspiring Connections Outdoors (ICO), Interreligious Eco-Justice Network (IREJN), Junta, Love Fed, Massaro Community Farm, Neighborhood Housing Services of NHV, New Haven Bike Month, New Haven Bioregional Group, New Haven Coalition for Active Transportation (NHCAT), Solar Youth.