The East York-Riverdale Mirror

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

Police said a man riding a white bicycle came up to a child playing in a ravine near Eastdale and Lumsden avenues at about 6:30 p.m.

"The suspect exposed himself and took photos of the child," police said in a news release.

The man gave some money to the child before leaving the scene.

The suspect is described as white, about five-feet 10-inches tall with short dark hair and a slim build.

Anyone with information is asked to call 54 Division at 416-808-5400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).

Police arrested the man after stopping a vehicle in the Neilson and Ellesmere roads area around 9:30 a.m.

The driver, Douglas Persaud, 48, of Toronto, was charged with 12 counts of break and enter and four counts of possession of property obtained by crime.

Police say the majority of the break-ins occurred in apartment buildings in Scarborough, East York, North York and midtown.

The passenger, David Paquette, 33, of Toronto, was charged with break and enter relating to a July 2 incident and two counts of possession of property obtained by crime.

The ninth annual celebration in the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood is looking for volunteers who will welcome people to the festival and ask for a donation for Epilepsy Toronto.

Volunteer shifts are available from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the course of the festival, which runs from Aug. 21 to 24.

Buskerfest is expected to raise about $200,000 for Epilepsy Toronto.

For details, visit www.torontobuskerfest.com/content/volunteer.htm, e-mail volunteers@torontobuskerfest.com or call Adam Bailey at 416-964-9095.