THOUSANDS OF TORONTONIANS
STEP UP TO SUPPORT UNITED WAY AT P&G LEAPS AND BOUNDS
TORONTO,
September 11, 2005 – More than 10,000 Torontonians from all corners of
the city and all ethnic backgrounds walked, ran and raised funds for
United Way at the 23rd annual P&G Leaps and Bounds 4 km
walk / 5 km run at Nathan Phillips Square today.
The event
officially launches United Way’s 2005 fundraising campaign. The campaign
goal for this year is $94.5 million.
Participants
included corporate and government teams, United Way agencies, families,
community groups and media outlets. P&G
Leaps and Bounds is United Way’s largest community celebration and the
kick off to the annual fall fundraising campaign. Proceeds from the event
support United Way’s network of 200 health and social service agencies,
helping seniors, young children, newcomers, homeless people, abused women
and their children, and many more.
“P&G
Leaps and Bounds is a true community celebration,” said Frances Lankin,
President and CEO, United Way of Greater Toronto. “It celebrates
diversity, family, and community involvement. Money raised today will go a
long way to supporting United Way’s work throughout Toronto.”
Lankin was
joined by Tim Penner, President, Procter and Gamble; Sandra Bussin,
Deputy Mayor of Toronto; Ralph Hui and Chris Bullen, event
Co-chairs; Richard Venn, United Way Board Chair; Barbara Stymiest, Chief
Operating Officer, RBC Financial Group and United Way’s Campaign Chair
for 2005; and Therese Brisson, gold medalist, 2002 Canadian Olympic
women’s hockey team
“United
Way is a way of life at P&G,” said Tim Penner, President of P&G
Canada. “Our employees are proud to come together in a spirit of
compassion and co-operation to make a difference in our community.”
Event
highlights included:
·
The annual United Way Agency
Fair, featuring games and activities, and information on how United Way
agencies impact the community
·
The Street Haven Choir, a choir
of homeless women, singing O’ Canada
·
Entertainment by local bands, The
Whiners, Linda M, Uncle Seth, Vanderpark, Street Haven Choir and The
Coppertones
…/2
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P&G
Leaps and Bounds is sponsored by title sponsor P&G, media
sponsors Newstalk 1010 CFRB, 97.3 EZ Rock, MIX 99.9, OMNI Television, Sing
Tao Daily, Toronto Star and community sponsors The Caribbean Camera and
Toronto Chinese Radio.
United
Way of Greater Toronto works to create sustainable change in the lives of
Torontonians. Through research, partnerships with government, volunteers,
labour, and business, and by funding a network of 200 health and social
agencies, United Way identifies needs and takes action to support people
and develop strong communities.
Two
billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the
world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted,
quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Always®, Pantene®,
Bounty®, Pringles®, Swiffer®, Folgers®, Charmin®, Downy®, Iams®,
Crest®, Actonel®, Olay®, Clairol Nice ‘n Easy®, Herbal Essences®,
and Head & Shoulders®. The P&G community consists of almost 110,000 employees
working in over 80 countries worldwide.
P&G is one of the leading consumer products companies in Canada
with over $2.1 billion in annual sales.
Please visit www.pgcanada.ca for the latest news and information
about P&G Canada and its brands.
Visit www.walkunitedway.org
for post P&G Leaps and Bounds news and photos.
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