A week of firsts is what drinking a Tim Hortons coffee on Wednesday gives local kids.
First time away from home, on a horse, learning archery, rock climbing and white water rafting. All these are on the to-do list for the 15 lucky Prince George children and one from Burns Lake that will attend Tim Horton Children's Ranch in Kananaskis, Alta. this summer.
It's Tim Hortons Camp Day Wednesday when all shop owners donate 100 per cent of coffee sales to the Tim Horton Children's Foundation that has a program offering disadvantaged kids a chance to attend summer camp.
"We've had a great relationship with Carol and Wayne Beebe [owners of six local Tim Hortons]," said Tim Bennett, interim executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters. "Each year they help send a few of our Littles to camp and help provide them with opportunities they might not be able to get anywhere else."
The Tim Horton Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to providing a fun-filled camp environment for children from economically disadvantaged homes. The criteria is similar to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Matching the children in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program with the Tim Hortons camps was a natural fit.
"The Children's Ranch in Kananaskis is the same camp the children attended last year and they had an amazing experience and I know the children going this year will have the same wonderful time," said Bennett. "Just hearing the stories that the kids came back with, I'm really jealous I'm not going. It's quite an amazing week for these kids. The memories they make and the friendships they build last a lifetime."
The program offers the opportunity for those kids that attend the camp to grow and develop with leadership programs as they get older. Ultimately the children have a chance to develop their leadership skills to such an extent that they could work at the Tim Hortons camps in the future, said Bennett. Three local children will attend the leadership camp in Parry Sound, Ontario.
"This is a chance for the kids to really excel," he added. "I would like to extend a great big thank you to Tim Hortons. It's a great opportunity for children, not just in our program but all the children that get to attend a Tim Hortons camp. I'd like to encourage everyone to buy a coffee at Tim Hortons on Camp Day, June 6."
Last year's event raised $40,000 locally and the hope is always to beat that number this year, said Tim Hortons owner, Carol Beebe.
