OC Transpo Donates Recycled Uniforms

Ottawa - When OC Transpo decided to update transit operators' uniforms, employee Raymond Bedard felt something worthwhile should be done with the obsolete uniforms. Volunteers and community partners worked hand in hand to collect, sort, clean and label the returned uniforms over the past several months. Cuban Ambassador Carlos Fernández de Cossio graciously accepted a donation of OC Transpo summer uniforms, while Shepherds of Good Hope CEO, Mary Ann Glazer accepted the winter uniforms during a ceremony at Ottawa City Hall this morning. More than 10,000 articles of clothing were collected during the campaign from fall 2000 to spring 2001.

The employee led uniform recycling initiative was a real success thanks to the cooperation of many volunteers. This project also depended on several community partners. When uniform donations exceeded the volunteers' ability to keep up, a quick call to Scouts Canada brought in much needed help. Thanks to the many hours they contributed, the mountain of clothes gradually became more manageable.

Not only did Browns Cleaners volunteer to dry clean hundreds of articles that came in during this program, they even collected the hangers that came in with the uniforms and donated the proceeds to CHEO. Malcolm MacGregor of Browns Cleaners presented a $1,000 cheque to Ian Hendry, Chair of the CHEO Foundation Board of Directors during today's ceremony.

Once the old uniforms were sorted and boxed, they had to be delivered to Montreal to reach their final destination - Holguín, Cuba. Guardian Overseas Shipping came to the rescue by donating a forty foot shipping container and truck to transport the uniforms from Ottawa to Montreal.

"It is very heartwarming to realize the generosity of OC Transpo operators and of the community partners who helped make this project such a huge success," said Councillor Madeleine Meilleur who presented Cuban Ambassador Carlos Fernández de Cossío with the donation from OC Transpo employees. Ambassador Fernández de Cossío who graciously accepted the donation, thanked OC Transpo operators and stated that the operators who previously did not have uniforms, will wear them with pride.

Contact : Lucille Doré 842-3632     720-0533 Cellular