Good Afternoon All,
This is a bit of a long message so I hope you will take a few minutes to read through it. Many of you have been asking what is being planned as the 1st Anniversary of the shootings on Danforth draws closer. We've been working with the City of Toronto's Protocol Office and our Councilor Paula Fletcher for the past several months designing 2 memorial events which we feel are appropriate to mark this very sad anniversary and to remember those who died and were injured.
The first memorial will take place on Sunday, July 21st at 1:30pm in the north east section of Withrow Park. Victims and their families along with first responders have all been invited to attend. This memorial is also open to all of our business members and area residents. Once the full program is confirmed I will share further details with you. It was decided that a memorial just prior to the actual anniversary date and located just off of the Danforth would be a bit easier for the families.
The second memorial will take place on the anniversary - Monday, July 22. This memorial is open to anyone who wishes to attend. It will take place at Alexander the Great Parkette at Danforth and Logan and will begin at sunset - approximately 8:51pm.
The City has created a website for these memorial events - I've included the link at the bottom of this email which provides further details. You may publish this link via your social media if you wish.
Danforth Strong t-shirts:
We still have a number of shirts left over from last year and would like to make them available to all of our BIA members for you and your staff to wear, should you wish, during the dates of July 21 and July 22. You are also invited to take a number of shirts to give to your customers. There's no charge for any of the shirts. Our Board member, Philip Kocev from iPro Realty has very kindly agreed to have all of the shirts available at his office - 276 Danforth Avenue. The shirts will be available starting next Monday, July 15th at noon at Philip's office. The iPro Realty office is open Monday - Friday: 9am to 9pm; Saturday: 10am to 5pm; and Sunday: 11am to 5pm. You are welcome to pop by and pick up Danforth Strong shirts within any of these times. If for some reason you would like shirts but can't manage to pick them up please email me and we will make arrangements to get them to you. If you do plan to have shirts that you will give away to your customers please let me know and we will help to promote this through our social media and you are welcome to promote through your own social media as well.
Donations:
Some people may ask if they can make a donation. There are currently 3 fundraising initiatives as follows:
- Danforth Area Community Sale - this was the event that took place in our area on June 22 - proceeds from the sales have gone to Trigger Change. Donations can still be made to this charity.
- JDK Foundation - this is a foundation that has just been launched by the family of Julianna Kozis. Attached is a letter from her uncle and donation information for the event they are holding on July 28.
- Reese Fallon Scholarship - this is a scholarship fund established by Reese's family to assist a graduating Grade 12 student with their future education.
For those of you who want to have shirts to give-away I will provide a sign/flyer that lists the 3 charities for you to display. You can direct people to the list. You do not have to collect any donation money.
I will provide further details on the 2 memorial events as they are confirmed.
Here is the memorial events' website link:
Thank you,
Susan