How do you spell Hockey? Today in Oshawa, it's G-R-E-E-N-B-E-L-T

OSHAWA, ON, Jan. 24 /CNW/ - Fans of the Oshawa Generals today will not only get to watch a great hockey game, they'll also be attending a birthday party. Ontario's Greenbelt turns five next month, and the celebrations begin tonight at the General Motors Centre as the Generals play the Saginaw Spirit.

The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation has partnered with the Foundation for Building Sustainable Communities to organize this celebration, with generous support from the Oshawa Generals. T-shirts are being launched into the crowd, the big screens will showcase videos about the Greenbelt, clean water and local food.

"We're excited to start celebrating the Greenbelt's 5th birthday here in Oshawa," said Burkhard Mausberg, President of the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation. "What the Greenbelt gives us is not unlike what a hockey player gets from drill practice -- it give us the fundamental building blocks of healthy living: clean air and drinking water and fresh, local food. Durham is a cornerstone to the Greenbelt's success, with almost a quarter of the Greenbelt's farms right here. We're excited for what the future holds for the region and the Greenbelt as a whole."

Outside the arena, Durham's own Kent Farms will offer patrons a taste of Greenbelt-grown hot apple cider. Inside, at the Prospect Bar and Grill Executive Chef Peter Lee will serve a Greenbelt Special: double seared Pork Tenderloin from Herrington's Butcher Shop in nearby Port Perry.

Fans will also have the opportunity to give back to the Durham community by donating to the Child Nutrition Project (DCNP), which provides healthy snacks - like Durham-grown apples -- to elementary schoolchildren throughout the Region.

"The Greenbelt ensures we have an abundance of fresh local food for future generations. We are grateful to the Generals, and to the Greenbelt, for offering such strong support for healthy eating in our schools. Happy Birthday Greenbelt!" stated Ana Mazhar, Project Coordinator for the DCNP.

Tickets are $16 . Fans are encouraged to wear something green to the game to show their support for the Greenbelt.

Ontario's Greenbelt is 1.8 million acres of protected land that makes southern Ontario a better place to live, work and play.

The Foundation for Building Sustainable Communities (FBSC) works in Durham region to cultivate sustainable sensibilities and to ameliorate the living conditions of the underprivileged.

The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation is an independent charitable organization established to support the vitality of the Greenbelt.

For further information: Joan Kerr, President and CEO, Foundation for Building Sustainable Communities at [phone] or Jennifer Story, Greenbelt Foundation at [phone] (cell)