Being eco-friendly no longer means just eating granola and wheatgrass, according to Rebecca Awram of this year's Cheers to the Planet event.

After barely breaking even last year, this year's Cheers to the Planet brought in some much-needed cash for the CEED Centre, an organization on 223rd Street dedicated to sustainability.

CEED Centre executive director Christian Cowley estimated that net profits from the evening were about $9,400.

There were more than 300 guests in attendance, including MLAs Marc Dalton and Michael Sather.

"All in all, [the event was] well attended across the political spectrum, proving that good causes can still focus on the things that unite us, not the items that divide us," said Awram.

With the money raised, the CEED Centre will be able to build a partial kitchen with a sink, dishwasher, counters, and a fridge to support their Saturday evening community dinners.

The money will also support the centre's community access program, which allows people who don't have computer to come in and use them at the CEED Centre, for things likes searching for government services, resume-writing, and job searches, all previously supported by a federal grant that has since been cut.

"We're going to continue the program because we know there's a need [for the service]," Cowley said.

Cheers to the Planet, in addition to being a fundraiser, was meant to promote local foods, beers, and wines, as well.

"I really feel Cheers to the Planet is maturing into a prominent social fundraiser in the Maple Ridge calendar, proving that people inherently want to support local sustainable food and drink," Awram said.

mrantanen@mrtimes.com