TORONTO, June 15, 2013 /CNW/ - It's that time of year again, time to lace up those running shoes and head out onto the runway. The 2013 Runway Run is here!
Once again, Toronto Pearson will be closing down runway 24L/6R to aircraft and will open it up to runners and walkers. The 5K run and the 2K family walk will allow thousands of community members, airport employees and running enthusiasts the unique opportunity to run and walk along side an active runway.
The Toronto Pearson Runway Run is in its 6th year and so far has raised more than $600,000 for charity. This year, monies raised at the Runway Run will go to the Toronto Pearson Community Investment Program which will build direct connections with the airport's neighbouring communities as we support initiatives that build community sustainability and vitality. With 35 million passengers last year, we know Toronto Pearson has an impact on its surrounding communities - the Community Investment Program is one way we can work together to give back.
"We're very excited to continue the Runway Run's legacy of raising money for the community," said Toby Lennox, Vice President of Strategy Development and Stakeholder Relations for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. "Our goal is to have a direct, positive and visible connection to our communities which is why we have decided to use this program to financially support many different initiatives right here in our own backyard."
One of the concrete examples of this community connection is the partnership between the Community Investment Program and the collaborative program: Playing for Keeps (P4K), led by the Toronto Community Foundation and supported by many community organizations. Toronto Pearson is pleased to be the Lead Community Partner of P4K, which is focussed on developing healthier, more active and better connected communities, through play.
"It is wonderful to have the support of Toronto Pearson as a Lead Community Partner of Playing for Keeps. Over 35 organizations are working together to strengthen and improve our communities through this social innovation. The support of Toronto Pearson at this time is vital to raising the bar and achieving continued success," said Rahul K. Bhardwaj, President & CEO, Toronto Community Foundation.
As the relationships between Toronto Pearson and its surrounding communities grow, the aim is to become a long-term partner providing consistent support to tackle current and emerging community challenges. The airport is looking forward to building stronger connections with the communities it supports and serves.
About the GTAA
The GTAA is the operator of Toronto Pearson International Airport, the largest airport in Canada and one of the largest in North America in terms of passenger and air cargo traffic. In 2012, Toronto Pearson handled 35 million passengers. The focus of the GTAA continues to be on competitiveness, growing the airport's status as an international gateway, meeting the needs of our travellers and ensuring the long-term success of the organization, our airline customers and the regional economy.
About Playing for Keeps
Toronto Community Foundation is the lead collaborative partner of the Playing for Keeps initiative - a cross-sector collaboration to align community vision and objectives around how we can use major, multi-sport games as catalysts for building healthier, more active and better connected communities, while enhancing the development of social capital. The idea of Playing for Keeps came from the community, and the initiative uses the principles of community development to provide pathways and opportunities for residents to become community leaders. Playing for Keeps piloted program elements through the 2012 Ontario Summer Games and is now ramping up towards the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games. For more information, please visit www.playingforkeeps.ca.
About Toronto Community Foundation
Toronto Community Foundation is one of Canada's largest public charitable foundations. The Community Foundation's mission is to connect philanthropy to community needs and opportunities, all with a vision to make Toronto the best place to live, work, learn and grow, through the power of giving. For more information, please visit www.tcf.ca.
SOURCE: Toronto Pearson
GTAA Media Office: (416) 776-3709
Toronto Community Foundation: Simone Dalton, 416-921-2035
ext. 218, [email protected]
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