North Bay’s P&G Auto Parts is being recognized as the recycler with the highest number of tires collected across the province during the Tire Take Back event. The efforts of P&G are contributing nearly $8,000 to the Sunshine Foundation of Canada.
P&G co-owner Darrell Pitman took part in the cheque presentation and was thanked by Sunshine Foundation beneficiary Sarah Lashbrook, who was on hand to speak about her experience with the organization beginning 20 years ago. She was approached by the Sunshine Foundation after Lashbrook’s father was killed in a car accident, her mother suffered serious brain injuries, and Sarah was left paraplegic as a result. Lashbrook said that community leaders like Pitman allowed her to have a better quality of life and to pursue her dreams.
“For the past eight years, the support of Tire Take Back organizers and participants has helped make dreams a reality for children and youth living with severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses,” says Nancy Sutherland, Chief Executive Officer of The Sunshine Foundation of Canada. “These life-changing experiences help kids begin to write their future stories with a newfound sense of confidence and independence.”
From May 23 to June 4, tire haulers and processors from across the province encouraged their respective communities to recycle their old tires. The eighth annual event collected 52,100 used tires and raised $54,528 in Ontario. The event benefits many aspects of the community, financially and environmentally.
Since 2009, Tire Take Back has recycled 510,825 tires for a total charitable donation of $1,115,921 to the Sunshine Foundation. The fundraiser is a collaboration between the Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association, the Ontario Tire Stewardship and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.
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