NORTH YORK: RBC donates $10,000 following Salvation Army fire
RBC made the contribution after learning the blaze destroyed 260 skids of food and thousands of articles of clothing and toys for the annual holiday Toy Mountain campaign.
"The warehouse fire impacts many," said RBC public sector and not-for-profit vice-president Leeann Signorotti.
"We hope this donation will help the Salvation Army make up that loss and will encourage others to give generously.
The Salvation Army's Capt. John Murray, divisional secretary for public relations and development, said the organization is happy to receive the contribution.
"We are very grateful to RBC for this wonderful donation," he said.
"As we begin the process of replacing what was lost, this gift is a great start."
The Salvation Army is unable to receive donations of food, clothing or toys until a final tally of destroyed and damaged goods has been completed for insurance purposes.
Financial contributions will be gratefully accepted at 1-800-SALARMY (1-800-725-2769) or online at www.salvationarmy.ca.
Despite the fire, the organization continues to provide services and assistance to vulnerable residents and those hit by crisis.
The fire at the warehouse at 150 Railside Rd., southeast of Lawrence Avenue and the Don Valley Parkway, broke out May 4 just after 11:30 a.m. during a church service in another area of the building.
According to Ken Rawlins, the Salvation Army's area director of public relations, investigators with the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office have indicated it could take several weeks before the cause of the fire is determined. Items from the warehouse have been sent for forensic testing.
"They did say to us they don't suspect foul play at all," Rawlins added.
