Toronto-based print company, Allegra Toronto, has donated 50,000 individually wrapped face shields to George Brown College. The gift is valued at $124,500 and is intended to assist the College’s ongoing efforts to ensure that students, faculty and staff remain safe when at College facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A family-run small business neighbouring George Brown’s St. James campus, Allegra Toronto maintains a close relationship with the College. As with many small businesses over the past year, Allegra Toronto had to pivot to meet the changes brought on by the pandemic. Allegra Toronto almost immediately switched its focus to developing print and signage material for hospitals, businesses and colleges in the city, as well as providing print services for students through its retail division.
Allegra Toronto’s VP Sales & Marketing, Warren D’Silva, says of the company’s operations since the pandemic began, “We went from printing to manufacturing overnight, investing in equipment for acrylic products, facemasks and wayfinding signage. It was that change that saw us through.”
Of the donation, D’Silva says, “George Brown College helped us, a small business, continue on during the pandemic. We want to give back to the College and its students in a meaningful way. Allegra Toronto hopes the 50,000 face shields we have donated will help the College continue to keep its students and personnel safe and further cement our strong relationship.”
Nasir Kenea, Chief Digital and Infrastructure Officer, George Brown College stated, “George Brown College is grateful to be the recipient of Allegra Toronto’s generous gift. These face shields are tangible testament to Allegra Toronto’s commitment to this institution, its students and the wider downtown Toronto community.”
The George Brown College Foundation facilitated and received the gift on behalf of the College. Dr. Cindy Gouveia, President of the Foundation opined, “Allegra Toronto is to be lauded both for its successful reimaging of itself as a service provider and for its philanthropy. We are proud to have the D’Silvas as business partners and neighbours during these unusual times.”
