NEWS Release - Peel District School Board Toonie Thursday to send hope to Japan

[FTF]

NEWS Release

March 23, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

4 Peel board students, staff fundraise to send hope to Japan

The Peel District School Board has set March 31 as Toonie Thursday to send hope to Japan. Many Peel board schools are participating in the voluntary campaign and funds raised will support Red Cross relief efforts in Japan.

“This campaign is not just about fundraising, it’s about our students and staff reaching out to earthquake victims to show them how much we care,” says Janet McDougald, chair of the board. “We care about those who lost their lives and we care about the survivors who lost their families, homes and belongings.”

To help the people in Japan begin to rebuild their lives, the Peel board is sending a message of hope. On March 31, every student, staff member and parent is invited to contribute a loonie or toonie to support relief efforts in the region. This is a completely voluntary campaign.

All of the funds collected will be used to support Red Cross emergency response efforts in Japan. The Japanese Red Cross has deployed medical tents and over 80 medical teams to the affected area. Volunteers are on the ground providing first aid and search and rescue operations.

The Peel board serves more than 150,000 students in kindergarten to grade 12.
Operating 233 schools in the municipalities of Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga, the Peel board is the largest employer in Peel. The board’s annual budget is $1.3 billion. For more information, visit the board’s website, www.peelschools.org.

Media contact: Janet McDougald, Chair, Peel District School Board,
905-278-1402, janet.mcdougald@peelsb.com

Reference: Ryan Reyes, Communications Officer, 905-890-1010,
ext. 2652 ryan.reyes@peelsb.com