YMCA of Greater Toronto to create greener future for GTA communities with $1-million TD Bank Group donation

TD now largest funder of green spaces in Y centres across the GTA

TORONTO, Sept. 30, 2014 /CNW/ - The future of Toronto communities is looking greener thanks to a $1-million donation from TD Bank Group to the YMCA of Greater Toronto's Strong Start, Great Future Campaign, announced today.

In support of the charity's 10-year expansion plan to build healthier communities across the GTA, TD's donation will ensure the YMCA's newest locations include green technology, waste conservation initiatives and energy retrofit projects.

"With the population of the GTA expected to grow by one million people in the next decade, building new YMCA centres will enable us to help more individuals who need our services in the GTA," said Tim Penner, Chair of the Board, YMCA of Greater Toronto. "TD's generous donation will allow us to build our new spaces with an environmental focus which is critical to a healthy, sustainable future for Toronto families."

Announced at Toronto Central Grosvenor Street YMCA, which includes a green roof built with TD's support in 2009, the donation makes TD the largest funder of new and existing green spaces in Y centres across the GTA. 

"We're honoured to continue working with the Y to help build greener spaces for the greater Toronto community," said Martine Irman, Vice Chair, Head of Global Enterprise Banking, TD Securities, Senior Vice President, TD Bank Group. "This is a significant opportunity for us to help rebuild and reshape diverse neighbourhoods in our community for a stronger, healthier and more sustainable future."

The donation will help to support  the installation of environmental features such as urban garden spaces and high-efficiency heating, ventilation and air-conditioning technology at future YMCAs including the youth-drop in centre and shelter Vanauley Street YMCA and the Kingston Road YMCA. It will also help to develop a publically accessible 30,000 square-foot green roof on top of the Cooper Koo Family YMCA, a LEED Gold building, built in legacy of the 2015 Pan Am Games.

TD employees along with YMCA staff, members and volunteers celebrated the donation this morning by planting legacy trees for future YMCAs to be relocated to each centre as they are developed.

About the YMCA of Greater Toronto
For more than 160 years, the YMCA of Greater Toronto has been providing leadership and working with partners to solve complex social problems to create measurable outcomes that strengthen the social health of our communities.  As a charity, the YMCA offers a variety of programs responding to the needs of the community, including education and training, employment and immigrant services, family and youth services, health and fitness programs, child care and camps. Serving the population of the City of Toronto and the regional municipalities of Durham, Peel, York, and Halton plus Dufferin County, last year the YMCA connected with more than 500,000 people across 375 locations.   www.ymcagta.org

TD Community Giving
TD Bank Group invests in communities in order to effect positive change in the places where it operates and where its clients and employees live and work. In 2013, TD donated more than $74.7 million to community organizations in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. In Canada, TD focuses on education and financial literacy, creating opportunities for young people and the environment. For further information, please visit www.td.com/corporate-responsibility. 

Image with caption: "YMCA of Greater Toronto celebrates $1-million donation from TD Bank Group to build greener communities in the GTA. TD volunteers join YMCA of Greater Toronto President & CEO, Medhat Mahdy, Chair of the Board, Tim Penner and Martine Irman, Senior Vice President, TD Bank Group (CNW Group/YMCA of Greater Toronto)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140930_C3907_PHOTO_EN_6130.jpg

Image with caption: "TD employee volunteers help plant legacy trees with YMCA Academy students to celebrate $1-million donation announced this morning at the Toronto Central Grosvenor Street YMCA. (CNW Group/YMCA of Greater Toronto)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140930_C3907_PHOTO_EN_6131.jpg

Image with caption: "YMCA of Greater Toronto to create greener future for GTA communities with $1-million TD Bank Group donation (CNW Group/YMCA of Greater Toronto)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140930_C3907_PHOTO_EN_6132.jpg

SOURCE: YMCA of Greater Toronto

Amie Zimon, PR Manager, YMCA of Greater Toronto, [email protected], 647-624-4565; Amanda Tran, TD Bank Group, [email protected], 416-983-7212