Toronto's newest charity, Creative Hands Art Corporation wants to Stop the Violence on Canada Day.

Working with Love and Peace Records, the event kicks off at the pastoral Etienne Brule Park on the Humber River on July 1st from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Among the events include artist Matthew Johnson, who began to realize that art could be a much more powerful force than simply a painting hanging in a gallery wall. In March, he officially registered CHAC as a charity with the goal of making art more accessible.

Reggae artist Wayne Passion, Canadian medalist figure skater Elizabeth Putnam will also be there along with arts and crafts, clowns, a magician and face painting.

Their mission statement: to inform, enlighten and connect with people from all walks of life by providing programs and services designed to increase the accessibility of the arts for residents of Toronto, especially children, said Johnson, founder of CHAC.

Programs include Raise and Artist (professional artists teach kids in community parks), Create a City (kids paint murals on empty storefronts), Lend a Hand (art for abused/neglected kids), and the Senior Arts Program (art therapy programs at the Cheltenham Long Term Care Facility).

To date there are 25 people in their administrative department and over 130 various volunteer artists -- from musicians, arts and crafts, and fine arts. By word of mouth, the CHAC Web site, has received over 370,000 direct hits since it went online three months ago.