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Ontario Thanks Hydro Workers and Canadian Tire for Generous Donation to Red Cross

Red Cross to Contribute $250,000 Toward Ice Storm Relief Efforts workers for the ice storm relief efforts.
TimminsToday Staff

Red Cross to Contribute $250,000 Toward Ice Storm Relief Efforts

 

workers for the ice storm relief efforts. The Canadian Tire Family of Companies has donated $500,000 in cash and in Canadian Tire gift cards to the Canadian Red Cross (Ontario branch), which is directing the $250,000 cash amount to Ontario's food replacement initiative and the $250,000 in Canadian Tire gift cards to use in future disaster relief initiatives.

This donation almost doubles the reach of the existing food replacement program, and will help those most in need in impacted municipalities across Ontario as the initiative rolls out beyond Toronto. More gift cards will also be distributed in the coming days to people who lost food and are unable to replace it without financial assistance.

In total, the Canadian Tire Family of Companies, through Canadian Tire and Mark's, has donated $1,000,000 in cash and Canadian Tire gift cards to the Canadian Red Cross on behalf of hydro workers from Ontario and other provinces who worked to restore power and helped with other response efforts. Originally offered to hydro workers for their tireless efforts over the holidays, the donation was redirected at the workers' request to support the Red Cross' ice storm response efforts and future emergencies.

Ontario is grateful to all of the corporate sponsors whose generous donations helped fund this initiative. The government is still encouraging more sponsors to donate to the efforts, and it will continue to match donations to amplify the generous corporate contributions.

 

Quick Facts

  • Those affected by the ice storm should contact their insurance companies first to find out about their coverage and compensation for lost food.
  • In the first three days of the initiative $842,600 in gift cards was distributed, helping over 8,500 families and individuals
  • Other corporate donors for this initiative include Loblaw, Shoppers Drug Mart, Metro, Sobeys, Bruce Power, Costco, Northland Power, Louie Coppa Family - A Coppa Family Tradition, CUPE Local 416, the Insurance Bureau of Canada, the Ontario Provincial Police Association, and the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793.

Quotes

Kathleen Wynne

I am so grateful for Canadian Tire’s incredibly generous donation to the ice storm relief efforts, and for the contributions of many other corporate partners. This was a very challenging time, but it also brought out the best in people. I am so proud to see that even in these difficult conditions, the spirit of goodwill that defines Ontario endures.”

Kathleen Wynne

Premier of Ontario

We are delighted to redirect our donation to the Canadian Red Cross on behalf of the workers from Hydro One, Toronto Hydro and the other companies who have been working tirelessly to help those impacted by the ice storm. We hope our contribution makes a meaningful difference to those who need it the most.”

Michael Medline

President, Canadian Tire Corporation

The Canadian Red Cross is extremely grateful for the generous support of the Canadian Tire Family of Companies, which will enable us to provide assistance to those in need due to the recent ice storm and in times of future disaster. Now that power has been restored for most Ontarians, we are pleased that we can apply the cash donation from Canadian Tire to support the food recovery program established by the Government of Ontario.”

John Byrne

Director General of Disaster Management, Canadian Red Cross

Canadian Tire's expression of generosity to Hydro One's crews was greatly appreciated. They know it is job one to restore power safely and quickly to the people we serve – on any day and under any condition. For this reason, we felt Canadian Tire's generous gift should be passed on directly to people impacted by last week's debilitating storm.”

Carmine Marcello

President and Chief Executive Officer, Hydro One