September 15, 2015
The Toronto Public Service today announced its 2015 United Way fundraising goal of $1.3 million at the campaign launch event held at Nathan Phillips Square. City officials were joined by representatives of the municipal unions and associations. The Toronto Public Service United Way campaign is led jointly by unions and management.
"The City of Toronto has a long and proud tradition of supporting the United Way," said Mayor John Tory. "I know City staff will rise to the challenge to not only meet our target this year, but exceed it. This important fundraising campaign showcases our staff’s commitment to improving our communities by supporting the great work of 220 agencies across the city."
"The City of Toronto often collaborates and works alongside United Way Toronto and York Region in serving our most vulnerable residents," said City Manager Peter Wallace. "The work we do together results in residents being better served and urgent needs being met."
"Our employees are engaged with the local community not only by providing outstanding service every day to Toronto residents as part of their jobs but also by giving back to the broader community and demonstrating the Toronto Public Service's core values of service, stewardship and commitment," said John Livey, Deputy City Manager and Campaign Co-Patron.
"Many City employees work directly with United Way agencies to serve those in need in our communities," said Maureen O'Reilly, President of the Toronto Public Library Workers Union Local 4948 and Campaign Co-Patron. "Our staff see the positive impact of United Way's work in the lives of the many thousands of residents who count on United Way programs."
Contributions to United Way Toronto and York Region help in many ways. For example, a donation can help provide shelter for abused women, provide pre-employment training opportunities for newcomers, enable at-risk youth to participate in educational and recreational school programs or counselling sessions, or give adults with physical or mental disabilities an opportunity to participate in programs to help them to live independently and stay engaged in the community.
The Toronto Public Service is joined in its campaign by the following agencies and corporations: Toronto Public Library, Toronto Zoo, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Toronto Parking Authority and Exhibition Place.
Last year, the City of Toronto United Way Employee Campaign raised its highest amount ever, $1.466 million. The campaign has raised more than $1 million each of the past 14 years.
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit
http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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Media contact: Chris Fernandes, Strategic Communications, 416-397-5211, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
