CONGRATULATIONS to the women of the Toronto Police Service who are helping build Habitat for Humanity houses for deserving Toronto families.
Members of the Toronto Police Service donate thousands of volunteer hours to various worthy causes. The Habitat for Humanity project is one of the finest examples of the ways in which our members - in this case, women -are making a tremendous contribution to improving the quality of life in our community.
Here is their story and a story that appeared in the Toronto Sun last month.
Female cops unite for Humanity
By Sharon Lem , SUN MEDIA
Move over Mike Holmes.
More than 350 women from Toronto Police Services are going to don hard hats and flex their muscles to build a Habitat for Humanity home in Scarborough.
So far, female police officers and civilian police personnel have raised more than $100,000 toward the $1.2-million project building 10 houses in the Lawrence Ave. E.-Manse Rd. area this fall.
"I've been with the Toronto Police for over 20 years and we've done a lot of fundraising before, but what makes this really special is I've never seen a movement by women of Toronto Police," Det.-Sgt. Kim Scanlan, of the Sex Crimes Unit, said.
Scanlan said the women rallied together because they all see the value of giving deserving families a roof over their heads and a safe and decent place to live.
"Women at Toronto Police have been the driving force to planning all of these fund-raising events. Since April we've had over 10 different events including bake sales and car washes," Scanlan said.
Yesterday, Scanlan helped to organize a wine and cheese party, art sale and a silent auction.
The non-profit Habitat for Humanity movement began in 1976 and expanded to Canada in 1985. It follows a basic concept that people in need of adequate shelter work side by side with volunteers to build simple houses.
For information on Habitat for Humanity, call 416-755-7353.
