This holiday season will be a little brighter for some families, thanks to the hard work and generosity of TTC employees.
Over the past few months, TTC employees have been raising funds for the United Way of Greater Toronto through various initiatives, including a Halloween event at Bay Lower Station, an Open House at Hillcrest Complex, and staff events and donations. Through these efforts, employees have raised over $630,000 for the United Way.
The TTC Recreation Council has also hosted several events across divisions and in public-facing locations to collect toys, food and winter-wear to help those in need and community organizations. Over 10,000 toys and 12,000 cans of soup were collected from these events.
“On behalf of the City of Toronto I want to thank the hardworking frontline staff at the TTC for their generosity this holiday season and for what they do year-round keeping our city running. Millions of transit riders rely on you every year, and you go above and beyond serving our city and giving back to our communities.” said Mayor John Tory.
“Every year, TTC employees generously organize and contribute to these events, and give back to the communities we serve,” said TTC Chair Jon Burnside. “I want to commend all the volunteers for their efforts, and I know that the funds and items collected will go a long way in spreading holiday cheer across the city.”
“I am once again reminded that our employees are some of the most generous people I know,” said TTC CEO Rick Leary. “These initiatives were 100 per cent employee-led, and I can’t thank everyone enough for their community spirit and for contributing their time and efforts.”
The food drive, affectionately known as Soup Mountain, had employees creating a 12,000-can pyramid of soup for donation to the Veterans Association Food Bank. Toys were collected through Stuff-the-Bus events across the city, and donated to organizations including SickKids, Abuse Hurts, Community Place Hub, Dovercourt Boys & Girls Club, and Progress Place.
The TTC, in collaboration with the Recreation Council, has been collecting money for the United Way for decades. The Recreation Council has been collecting food for the Veterans Association Food Bank for the past three years, coats, warm winter gear and money since 2013, and toys and monetary donations since 2007. Since then, millions of dollars and thousands of cans, toys and coats have been collected for the community.
The TTC extends its gratitude to everyone who helped to make these initiatives a success this year, and every year.
