Students to get new bike racks as TDSB and Toronto Hydro Team Up for Green

TORONTO, Oct. 1, 2014 /CNW/ - Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited ("Toronto Hydro") and the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) joined together today to launch Team Up for Green at James S. Bell Junior Middle Sports and Wellness Academy. The program is designed to help schools across Toronto fundraise for 500 new bike racks by encouraging Toronto Hydro customers to sign up for free green programs and services, such as paperless billing, pre-authorized payment and peaksaver PLUS®.

The more friends and families that participate, the more likely Toronto Hydro and TDSB will achieve their goal of 30,000 sign ups. If sign up goals are met, the TDSB will receive funding for its bike rack program, and Toronto Hydro is able to promote its conservation programs, and lower its billing and printings costs. 

Toronto Hydro's Chris Tyrrell, Executive Vice-President and Chief Customer Care and Conservation Officer, and TDSB's Donna Quan, Director of Education, were on hand to kick off the program this morning in conjunction with a bike and pedestrian safety clinic for students.

"The Team Up for Green initiative helps promote active transportation to school for our students.  Installing new bike racks encourages healthy and active living and supports our commitment to the environment," said Quan. "We are proud to partner with Toronto Hydro on this creative initiative that brings together a number of our shared core principles."

"We're pleased to partner with the TDSB to promote energy conservation and support schools across our city," said Tyrrell. "It's a win-win situation for both organizations.  There's no cost to families or schools, no door-to-door canvassing and no purchases required. Everyone can participate to raise funds for this great cause while improving customer convenience and conservation efforts.  Registration for these programs is simple, takes a minimum amount of time and effort, and best of all, there is no cost to participate."

For more information about Team Up For Green, and support Toronto schools by signing up for green programs and services, visit www.teamupforgreen.com

Quick Facts

• 30,000 sign-ups will result in 500 bike racks purchased and installed in TDSB schools across the city, for a value of $250,000.
• The TDSB launched its Charter for Active, Safe and Sustainable Transportation last year, which reflects the principles of Ontario's Foundation for a Healthy School.
• The Team Up for Green campaign runs from October 1 to December 1, 2014 inclusive.

About Toronto Hydro
Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited owns and operates an electricity distribution system, which delivers electricity to approximately 734,000 customers located in the City of Toronto. It is the largest municipal electricity distribution company in Canada and distributes approximately 18% of the electricity consumed in the province of Ontario.

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Toronto District School Board
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Image with caption: "Students at James S. Bell Junior Middle School learn about bike safety at the launch of the Team Up for Green program, a fundraising initiative with Toronto Hydro and TDSB. The goal is to raise $250,000 for school bike racks. (CNW Group/Toronto Hydro Corporation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141001_C1039_PHOTO_EN_6202.jpg

SOURCE: Toronto Hydro Corporation

Tanya Bruckmueller, Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited, [email protected], 416-903-0440; Ryan Bird, Toronto District School Board, [email protected], 416-397-3241