Teen from Tantallon Concludes Cross-Canada Clothing Drive in Halifax
HALIFAX, NS, June 14, 2024 /CNW/ - A clothing drive led by a Nova Scotia teen in honour of his late father completed its eighth-straight year of gathering donations from across Canada to improve the lives of men in the Halifax area.
In partnership with Canadian National (CN) and The Salvation Army, the Matthew Gordon Annual Clothing Drive concluded at the Halifax Intermodal Terminal on Friday, just before Fathers' Day.
In 2017, Ken Gordon was checking cargo on his truck when he was struck by a vehicle on Highway 103 in Nova Scotia. To honour his memory, his 10-year-old son Matthew of Tantallon, N.S. decided to collect clothing for The Salvation Army's Centre of Hope in Halifax - a place that had always made his father feel safe and supported when seeking help during his struggles with alcoholism.
"Every year, my colleagues and I look forward to helping Matthew honour his father's legacy by providing this necessary support for men to transform their lives. We're truly inspired by Matthew's leadership, his commitment to community, and his determination to enhance the well-being of those around him," said Keith Reardon, CN's Senior Vice-President of Interline and Network Development.
This year, donated clothing from CN employees arrived in Halifax via a CNTL truck that made collections in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick. CN employees in Western Canada are making an equivalent donation to The Salvation Army's Winnipeg offices.
Earlier this spring, CN supported Matthew's new efforts to raise funds dedicated to further helping men experiencing homelessness in the Halifax area via the Ken Gordon Society.
"The Salvation Army thanks Matthew for his determination and hard work collecting clothing and funds for those who need it most," shared Major Jennifer Hale, The Salvation Army Centre of Hope's associate executive director and director of spiritual care. "We are pleased to work in partnership with CN to make this clothing donation drive possible; it is an incredible act of kindness."
To learn more about Matthew's efforts, please visit the Ken Gordon Society Facebook page.
About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and every day in 400 communities across Canada and more than 120 countries worldwide. The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, providing shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction. When you give to The Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community.
About CN:
CN powers the economy by safely transporting more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year for its customers. With its nearly 20,000-mile rail network and related transportation services, CN connects Canada's Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. Midwest and the Gulf of Mexico, contributing to sustainable trade and the prosperity of the communities in which it operates since 1919. For more information about CN, visit the Company's website at www.cn.ca.
Keep informed of our events and programs via social media:
Website: www.salvationarmy.ca/Atlantic
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SAMaritimes
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SAMaritimes
Instagram: @SAMaritimes
SOURCE The Salvation Army Maritime Division
Please contact:: The Salvation Army, Major Jennifer Hale, Associate Executive Director and Director of Spiritual Care, The Salvation Army Centre of Hope [email protected], (902) 422-2363; CN, Tom Bateman, Manager of Public Affairs, Atlantic, [email protected]
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