The day Bullfrog Power came knocking on our door
From left to right: Greg Kiessling, Gord Downie, Pam Isaak, and Tom Heintzman.
When Lake Ontario Waterkeeper opened its first office on the Toronto waterfront, we were a scrappy band of two: Waterkeeper Mark Mattson & Vice President Krystyn Tully.
Our office was a 500 square foot room on the second floor of a restaurant/ nightclub overlooking the Toronto waterfront. The donated space had windows that didn’t open, space heaters, two phone jacks, three electrical outlets, and a stunning view of Harbourfront. It was the perfect space for a group like ours to spread its roots.
Waterkeeper’s early days were challenging, but we had the support of friends, family, and some early donors who shared our desire for a swimmable, drinkable, fishable watershed. Those early supporters created the foundation for our organization and every one of its successes.
One of those early supporters was Greg Kiessling, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Bullfrog Power. Musician and green power enthusiast, Gord Downie introduced us.
Greg stopped by to discuss Bullfrog’s vision of a future powered by 100% renewable energy. As it turned out, Mark also knew Bullfrog Power’s other Co-Founder Tom Heintzman from Tom’s days with Ecojustice (then Sierra Legal Defence Fund).
Money was tight at Waterkeeper (it always is), but we signed on as a Bullfrog customer. We wanted to “walk the talk” by powering our office with electricity that promotes a swimmable, drinkable, fishable future.
We can’t have been lucrative customers for Bullfrog, what with our three electrical outlets and scrooge-like heating practices. But we’ve been loyal. It’s 2014 now, and we’re still a bullfrogpowered organization.
When we decided to host our first gala and art auction, our first call was to our presenting sponsors at the RBC Blue Water Project. Our second call was to Bullfrog Power to ask about green power for the event. And of course they said, “Yes.”
We’re honoured that Bullfrog Power has donated green energy to power all three of our galas, including our upcoming May 27 event at Palais Royale. They do it at no charge, because Bullfrog is also committed to a clean water future and a strong environmental sector.
If you are joining us at the Gala on May 27, look for the Bullfrog Power sign. Better yet, find the good folks at the Bullfrog table and introduce yourself. They make for good friends.
To learn more about how Bullfrog Power operates, check out this video:
Bullfrog Power, Canada's leading green energy provider, makes it easy for homes and businesses to switch to 100% renewable energy. By choosing Bullfrog Power's green energy, you can reduce your environmental impact, support new renewable energy project development in your region and across Canada, and help create a cleaner, healthier world. Find out how you can go green www.bullfrogpower.ca.
