Event helps raise money to send less fortunate children to camp
BRENDA GOUGH
NEWS Contributor
Coffee lovers have every excuse to indulge in their favourite cup of joe on Wednesday, June 5 as Tim Hortons once again hosts Camp Day.
The annual event will help raise money to send less fortunate kids in the community on a camping adventure of a lifetime.
On Camp Day, every penny from coffee sales during the 24 hour period, as well as money raised through special events and activities is donated to the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation.
Last year’s event raised more than $11 million chain-wide and more than $6,000 was generated at the Parksville location.
Since 1974, more than 185,000 children have benefited from a Foundation camp experience and this year more than 16,000 kids will attend one of the six Foundation camps.
Locally, two children from School District 69 went to the Kananaskis camp in Alberta last year at no cost to their families.
Jean Forrest, general manager of the Parksville Tim Hortons, said two more kids will go this year and she knows from first-hand experience how great the Kananaskis camp is.
“I went to the camp on the Mother’s Day long weekend in May. It was awesome,” she revealed.
Forrest was part of a work bee of Tim Hortons employees who help clean up and prepare the camps for their summer campers who get to experience a once-in a-lifetime camping experience.
She admitted that although she worked hard sprucing up the camp it was a labour of love.
“We did jobs like painting and cutting wood. I had callouses on my hands afterwards but it was nice to see the camp and how well run it is,” she agreed.
Forrest who brought her 11-year-old grandson with her, said next year they hope to bring more of their staff to the camp for clean up day.
The Tim Horton Children’s Foundation was established in 1974 by Ron Joyce, Co-Founder of the Tim Hortons chain, to honour Tim Horton’s love for children and his desire to help those less fortunate. The Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to providing a fun-filled camp environment for children from economically disadvantaged homes.