The City of Toronto is encouraging all people in the city to ring bells on Christmas Eve, this Thursday, December 24, at 6 p.m. Toronto bell ringers will be joining the worldwide Christmas Eve Jingle to help spread Christmas spirit and show appreciation for our frontline workers.
During this holiday season, all residents are urged to stay home as much as possible to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect our health care system. The Christmas Eve Jingle will unite neighbourhoods and bring out a much-needed sense of community from the safety of balconies, driveways and sidewalks across the city. Those sharing their Christmas spirit can use the hashtag #worldwidechristmasjingle to join the discussion online.
The idea for the Christmas Eve Jingle started in North Yorkshire, England and has gone viral, blossoming into a Facebook group with more than 460,000 members from around the world. Toronto’s participation in the jingle was encouraged by a Member Motion from Councillor Paula Fletcher and seconded by Councillor Brad Bradford that was approved at the December 16 meeting of City Council.
The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice and information about City services, social supports and economic recovery measures. Check toronto.ca/covid-19 for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.
Quotes:
“To help wish our frontline healthcare heroes a Merry Christmas and to show our ongoing and everlasting support for them, I am encouraging all residents to take part in the Christmas Eve Jingle. I hope everyone ringing bells for these workers also pays tribute to them by following the public health advice over the holidays and staying home as much as possible. Staying home, keeping your distance, not gathering over Christmas, washing your hands, and getting tested if you have symptoms will help protect these workers and keep our healthcare system from being overwhelmed.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Let the bells ring! Finding ways to come together as family, friends and neighbours during lockdown is challenging. But the sweet sound of bells on Christmas Eve reminds us we are all together and all connected though physically apart. It also shows our immense gratitude for those who will be working through the holidays to keep us safe.”
– Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth)
“In some of the toughest and most uncertain moments early in the pandemic, the sound of pots and pans symbolized the hope and optimism that lives deep in our community. I hope everyone will support the effort to make some noise with the Christmas Eve Jingle. It’s a way to join communities around the world in showing our appreciation for those still working so hard to keep us safe every day and celebrate all the ways we are truly together despite being forced to be apart.”
– Councillor Brad Bradford (Beaches-East York)
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.