Royal treatment for deserving children

Canadian government makes $100,000 donation on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II to Tim Horton Children's Foundation camp

ST. GEORGE, ON, July 6 /CNW/ - Economically-disadvantaged children are the beneficiaries of a $100,000 donation to the Tim Horton Children's Foundation from the Government of Canada, on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II, as part of the Her Majesty's Royal Visit.

The Tim Horton Children's Foundation (THCF) provides lower-income children with once-in-a-lifetime camping experiences at one of six camps in Canada and the United States. Collectively, the camps will host about 14,000 children in 2010, and have served more than 130,000 children since the first camp opened in Parry Sound in 1975.

The $100,000 donation was made Monday night by Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the farewell dinner in honor of the Queen's visit to Canada. Accepting on behalf of the Foundation were Bill Moir, THCF president and chief marketing officer of Tim Hortons Inc., and Don Schroeder, chief executive officer of Tim Hortons Inc.

Mr. Moir said the donation will be used to expand the horsemanship program at the Foundation camp in Kananaskis Country, Alberta. The camp will purchase additional horses, and double the size of its stables, which will allow 200 more children to learn basic education and riding skills, culminating in a western-style horsebacking trek through the Rocky Mountains.

"For many underprivileged children, the chance to work up close with a horse is rare. The thrill of caring for and then riding a horse becomes an incredible learning and growth experience," said Mr. Moir. "It's a tremendous honour for the Tim Horton Children's Foundation to be recognized by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the federal government in the name of Queen Elizabeth."

Located about an hour west of Calgary, the Kananaskis camp offers a variety of outdoor experiences, from white water rafting to rock climbing, that help improve children's confidence, teamwork and other life skills. In addition to the 600 summer campers, the Kananaskis camp serves another 1,500 children year round from various schools and organizations in Western Canada.

"The federal government's generous donation will help give the next generation of Canadian children a greater respect for the beauty and importance of nature," said David Newnham, THCF vice president and executive director.

About the Tim Horton Children's Foundation

The Tim Horton Children's Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 1974. Funding for the Foundation comes from Tim Hortons Camp Day, year round donations collected through counter and drive-thru coin boxes located at more than 3,500 Tim Hortons restaurants and other special events and donations. Since 1975, more than 130,000 children and youth have attended a Foundation camp at no cost to them or their families.

For further information: Dave Newnham, Vice President and Executive Director, Tim Horton Children's Foundation, Tel [phone] ext 2227