Mayor Ford lends a hand (or two) at annual Community Clean-Up Day

TORONTO, April 21, 2012 /CNW/ - Thousands of residents are joining Mayor Rob Ford today to clean Toronto together as they participate in the annual Mayor's Community Clean-Up event held at various locations across the city.

"It's great to have people from all across the city joining forces to clean Toronto together," said Mayor Ford, who is being joined by local residents at his event taking place at Amesbury Park.

Residents are also taking part in hundreds of other cleanup events in their communities at the same time. More than 4,000 people are expected to take part in these cleanup events today in addition to the more than 12,000 who registered to participate in the Corporate and School Clean-Up Day that took place yesterday.

Community groups, homeowners, tenants, and schools are participating in this Toronto tradition to make a difference by cleaning up public areas in their communities such as a neglected laneway, park or one of the city's many ravines.

The Mayor's Community Clean-Up Day is part of the City's Clean Toronto Together program, which features a city-wide staff cleanup, the Corporate and School Clean-Up Day and other cleanup-related activities.

The lead partner for the event is GLAD Canada. "Glad is happy to be back for the third year in a row," said Mark Malo, General Manager, GLAD Canada. "As a company, we strive to promote social and environmental responsibility. Participating in events like this is a great way for us to help keep Canadian cities and communities clean." 

Again this year, CP 24 is the broadcast partner. Other returning partners for the event include TD Friends of the Environment, the Toronto Sun, the Toronto Star, the Home Depot, Tim Hortons and Pizza Pizza.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.7 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For further information:

Media contact:  Steve Johnston, Senior Communications Co-ordinator, City of Toronto, 416-392-4391, [e-mail]