WOW.
Did you read this in the Toronto Sun today?
Once again, the members of the Toronto Police Service have raised an amazing amount of money for the United Way of Greater Toronto. This year, the Service raised $600,000, exceeding its goal.
I was delighted to join Deputy Chief Kim Derry, Staff Superintendent Tony Corrie, Campaign Chair, TPA President Dave Wilson, Senior Officers’ Organization president Chuck Lawrence and Frances Lankin, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Toronto, at the cheque presentation. Ms Lankin is also my colleague on the Mayor's Advisory Panel on Making a Safe City Safer, chaired by former Ontario Chief Justice, Roy McMurtry.
I want to congratulate the members of the Service on an incredible achievement.
As Scottish writer Henry Drummond once said “Happiness... consists in giving, and in serving others.”
Here are my remarks from yesterday’s cheque presentation.
Honoured guests, members of the Toronto Police Service and members of the community:
On behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board, it is my pleasure to welcome all of you here to the 2008 United Way Cheque Presentation.
The Service’s involvement in the United Way Campaign has been extremely rewarding, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to date.
Money donated to the United Way draws on the combined strength of campaigns and donors from across the community to make a difference in the lives of so many people who need it most.
In fact, our members use organizations funded by the United Way every day while performing their duties. These are great partnerships for all of us.
When we give to the United Way, not only do we assist those in our community, but we could also be helping those with whom we work and those with whom we share our lives.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Staff Superintendent Tony Corrie, this year’s campaign Chair and all of the organizers of the Toronto Police Service United Way Campaign for their tireless work and invaluable contributions in preparing this year’s campaign and ensuring that it was run smoothly and successfully. I am happy to report that we surpassed our goal, an amazing achievement!
I thank, too, all of those who participated in the campaign. You give the campaign strength and you give it energy.
And lastly, I would like to thank all of you who opened your hearts -- and your wallets – and made a donation to this year’s campaign. It is through your generosity that the United Way is able to offer its services, year after year, to those who need them.
At this time of year, it is especially gratifying to see the dedication of our members to the spirit of giving. Our ever-important partnerships with the community are something we very much treasure.
And I am proud to say that I know that our members – both uniform and civilian – carry on that spirit all year round.
Once again, on behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board, thank you and happy holidays to all.
