The Villager

The goal of this year's marathon is to raise $1 million for more than 60 small Toronto charities including Invest in Kids, the Assaulted Women's Helpline and Fort York Food Bank.

The marathon (42 kilometres), which also offers a half marathon (21 kilometres) and five-kilometre run has become one of the premier sporting events in Toronto and across North America, according to organizers.

"This race is Toronto's race and there is truly a way for everyone in our city to participate," said Alan Brookes, race director, in a press release.

This year there are three ways for Torontonians to get involved. People who aren't running can participate by pledging a runner or by coming out to cheer along the race route or at one of Scotia Toronto Waterfront's 10 official Neighbourhood Cheering and Entertainment Centres from the Humber to the Beaches.

This year's marathon starts and finishes at Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. W. beginning at 7:30 a.m. Visit www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com for the full race route.

It features interviews with the founder of Electronic Arts, the designer of Doom and many more key players in video game history.

Tickets are $10 for the Aug. 21 screening at 7 p.m. at the Revue Cinema, 400 Roncesvalles Ave.

From Aug. 18 to 24, people are invited to drop off their unwanted computer equipment for recycling at Computation, 280 Jane St. Equipment can be dropped off between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on weekends.

Did you know that aside from the hazards that go along with burying electronics in landfills or shipping them overseas for disposal, approximately 1,000 litres of clean fresh water and 300 kilograms of fossil fuel equivalent are consumed in the mining, manufacturing, and distribution associated with a new computer?

The event is free, with the exception of a $10 recycling fee for monitors and $5 recycling fee for PCs (no fee for other equipment). All of the information present on systems will be securely destroyed. All of the equipment is diverted from landfill and processed locally.

Call 416-629-5667 or go to www.computation.to for more information.

The Salvation Army Thrift Stores is in desperate need of men's clothing and are appealing to the public for help.

The organization, the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services, says this is the lowest donation of men's clothing they've seen in a very long time.

"I cannot remember a time in well over a decade where we have ever seen such a dramatic reduction of donations of men's clothing," Arlene Boden, executive director for Central and Southwestern Ontario recycling operations, said in a press release.

To drop off donations, visit www.tstores.ca to find the closest store near you.

Student safety remains a top priority for both the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) and the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), so the Student Transportation Services Departments for both boards are providing the Back to School Safely campaign for students and their parents.

As summer winds down and the beginning of the new school year looms, mall displays are being set up throughout the city to remind parents and children of basic safety rules both on and off school buses.

Children and their families are invited to see the Bus Safety Show presented by Buster the talking school bus and to hear Elmer the Safety Elephant share tips on crossing roads safely. The Toronto Police and Safety Patrollers will also be on hand, and visitors will receive loot bags with literature for parents and their children. Staff from both boards will be available to answer any questions about school bus transportation.

The displays are scheduled for:

- Saturday, Aug. 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Albion Mall, 1530 Albion Rd., Etobicoke

- Saturday, Aug. 9, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cedarbrae Mall, 3495 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough

- Saturday, Aug. 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Yorkgate Mall, 1 Yorkgate Blvd., North York

- Thursday, Aug. 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at East York Town Centre, 45 Overlea Blvd., Don Mills

- Saturday, Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Centrepoint Mall, 6464 Yonge St., North York