By Erin Sue
Tim Horton’s annual Camp Day kicked off with the Ticats at 30 different locations across Hamilton on Wednesday.
Camp Day occurs every June on the first Wednesday and is a fundraising event for their six camp locations – five of them across Canada. Tim Hortons sponsors selected children to go to a ten day summer session or a seven day winter session.
Ticat quarterback Kevin Glenn knows all about the Tim Hortons organization and Camp Day as he own three franchises in the Detroit area. “This is a great way to send under privileged kids to camp who wouldn’t have the chance to do this kind of thing because of money situations. Every franchisee sponsors two kids to go. We raise money throughout the year with camp boxes and Camp Day as well as different activities people have going on at their Tim Hortons.”
Tim Hortons each year sends approximately 14,000 children to camp that would not normally have the opportunity to go. Camp Day donates all the money from coffee purchases across Canada and the US as well as various games and raffles put on by individual locations throughout the year. Each store selects two children with the help from community organizations such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters, social agencies, churches or schools. Children who are selected are matched with a camp that typically is not in the same province, allowing them to travel by plane. Their experiences can range from summer camps on a waterfront such as the Nova Scotia camp, or mountainous trails with rock climbing in Alberta.
Aaron Burch franchise owner here in Hamilton and avid Ticats fan commented that last year his Tim Hortons location raised about $4000 and he was hoping that they could match that number or increase it this year. “As a company we are hoping to raise $9 million this year.”
Burch added that, “Getting the Ticats out here gets people in and allows for a cross-promotion. People show up and spend a little more money, but with these guys, it doubles our money.” The Ticats liven up the atmosphere continued Burch, getting everyone excited about the day.
In discussion about Glenn’s Tim Horton franchises in the US, Burch commented that, “Having Kevin here knowing the business, he’s back there working like a pro. Having celebrities as storeowners helps bring in the public because people want to see them.”
Quinton Porter one of the Ticats quarterbacks got his serving experience at the drive-thru window where he handed out morning coffees and breakfast sandwiches. Porter brought up his camp experiences commenting that, “I went to camps a lot when I was a kid and that’s what actually got me into football. It’s an opportunity and to help a kid have the same experience is really great.”
Visiting the various 30 locations across the Hamilton, Dundas, Ancaster and Stoney Creek area were quarterback Adam Tafralis, kicker Nick Setta, wide receiver Chris Bauman, safety Sandy Beveridge, linebacker Ray Mariuz, offensive lineman Peter Dyakowski, linebacker Agustin Barrenechea, long-snapper Matt Robichaud, offensive lineman Cedric Gagne Marcoux and fullback Robert Pavlovic attended separate locations. Additionally, cheerleaders, Stripes, management, and office staff accompanied the players.
