At a launch event at the Evergreen Brickworks today, Toronto Mayor John Tory was on hand to announce a new fundraising walk coming to Toronto next year.
The GrandTrees Walk – launching on Mother’s Day 2020 at the Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto – is calling all grandparents to walk for and with their grandchildren to raise money to plant trees for the benefit of future generations.

The GrandTrees goal is to raise $1 million for local tree planting – recognized by experts around the world as one of the most efficient and effective natural climate solutions.

St. Joseph Communications (SJC) is proud to come on board as a Founding Sponsor of GrandTrees Climate Solutions and continue its long-standing commitment to planting trees through Partners in Growth – its reforestation program started with Scouts Canada in 1990 that, over the last 30 years, has helped to plant hundreds of thousands of trees across the country.

Through the new partnership, SJC will contribute to the planting of a tree by GrandTrees on behalf of every ton of paper used on a print client’s behalf.

“Trees provide so many benefits to the health of our planet, our communities and our children,” says Tony Gagliano, Executive Chairman & CEO of SJC. “The GrandTrees partnership is an incredible opportunity for us to continue our long-standing commitment to planting trees and restoring the country’s natural canopy at a time when it’s more important than ever before. We are excited to engage our print clients and our entire organization in GrandTrees’s inspiring, multi-generational approach to make a difference.”

Trees planted through GrandTrees will support new tree planting activities in and around the GTA, with a focus on private residential, industrial, and commercial lands. Recently, Toronto city councillors voted unanimously to declare a climate emergency and planting trees and recommended that our tree canopy cover be restored to 40%, from its current coverage of about 27%.

GrandTree’s intent is to share the idea across the country – and the world.

The first annual GrandTrees Walk will take place on Mother’s Day – Sunday, May 10 at the Evergreen Brickworks in Toronto. Various route options will be offered to accommodate all ages and stages. Families can sign up online to make a team and start fundraising as of October 17.