Monday, August 29, 2011

Only 73 more days until the Building Bridges Gala!!!

Come experience the fantastic new Corus Quay facility by Sugar Beach in Toronto and support at-risk youth!!!


Friday, August 12, 2011

51 Division 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

What:     51 Division Building Bridges 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
Who:      Everyone of all ages with Officers from 51 Division
Where:  St. Jamestown Cage Court between 325 and 375 Bleeker Street
When:   Saturday August 13th, 2011 between 11am to 6pm
Why:      Tons of fun and to cheer everyone on!

Media Release:
Saturday, August 13, 2011, 11 a.m.,
Outdoor basketball court, next to 325 Bleecker Street,
Building Bridges 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
51 Division, 416-808-5100

On Saturday, August 13, 2011, at 11 a.m., on the outdoor basketball court next to 325 Bleecker Street, the Toronto Police Service is hosting the Building Bridges 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament.

It's an event that brings police, community and youth together with a focus on building positive relationships.

This event provides an opportunity for youth to engage with police officers in a different social setting.

This event begins on the outdoor basketball court and ends in sustaining relationships across geographic communities, social boundaries, police relationships and, perhaps most important, across kids' lives.

The media and public are invited to attend.

For more information, please contact Constable Brian Holder at 647-618-1092.
Constable Tony Vella, Corporate Communications, for Constable Brian Holder, 51 Division

Friday, November 26, 2010

Building Bridges Gala 2010 - Police Gala Funds Young Talent

For one night, officers from 51 Division traded in their uniforms for haute couture, in support of neighbourhood youngsters.


The 51 Division Community Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) Building Bridges Scholarship Fundraising Gala at Lawrence Hall on Nov.1 raised $10,000 for a George Brown College endowment fund benefiting youth in the downtown Division.

Police officers strutted their stuff on the catwalk in the latest fashions, courtesy of George Brown College’s School of Fashion, Arts and Design students, alumni and teachers.

CPLC co-chair Deborah Devgan said engaging young people in the community is a key component of creating a safe place for everyone.

“In talking to young people in our community, some didn’t believe they could ever set foot into a post-secondary institution even though Ryerson University and George Brown College are a couple of streets away from where they live,” Devgan said.

A $500 bursary was awarded to George Brown nursing student Roberta Correa with funds raised from last year’s gala.

The goal was not only to raise money but to also raise the profile of police in the neighbourhood.

“It was a great night where members of the community could engage with officers,” Devgan said, of meeting informally with police officers at the reception and supporting them as they bravely modeled for the first time.

“It gives the officers an opportunity to have people cheer for them in the community too.”

The event drew 100 people to enjoy a reception, silent auction, as well as watch art in progress as members of DRAW, made up of George Brown School of Design students, drew together an art wall over the course of the night.

CBC Toronto co-anchors Dwight Drummond and Anne Marie Mediwake hosted the gala.

For Sgt. Jessica McInnis, the night was an opportunity for officers and community members to appreciate each other on an equal level.

“It put a great face on police officers that we were able to go out there and have fun. It really breaks down those boundaries between the community and police,” she said, of the police men and women who had a lot of fun leaving their drab uniforms at the door.

“The dresses were gorgeous, really Oscar-worthy,” McInnis said, of the fashions she sported on the runway that spanned casual gear to a wedding dress.

There is so much talent in this community that I didn’t even know about.”