Brewing a difference for 25 years: Tim Hortons Camp Day helps kids turn their lives around

Funds raised on Camp Day provide so much more than visits to camp – on June 1, 100 per cent of coffee sales at participating Restaurants will help give more than 19,000 kids from low-income families a life-changing experience

OAKVILLE, ON, June 1, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, your daily Tim Hortons coffee purchase will help change thousands of lives. One hundred per cent of coffee sales at participating Restaurants on Tim Hortons Camp Day will be donated to the Tim Horton Children's Foundation (THCF), and help provide more than 19,000 kids from low-income families across North America with an experience that builds essential life skills to make their futures brighter.

"Camp Day is the Tim Horton Children's Foundation's largest annual fundraising initiative and this year we're celebrating its 25^th anniversary," says David Clanachan, President & COO Tim Hortons Canada and Chair, THCF. "Through the generous support of our Guests and Restaurant Owners, hundreds of thousands of kids from communities across North America have been given the experience of a lifetime and the opportunity to develop skills that will help them become more responsible, caring and motivated individuals."

Last year alone, $12.4 million was raised in Canada and the United States, allowing close to 18,000 kids from low-income families to spend a life-changing session at one of the seven THCF camps. In the past 25 years, more than $150 million has been raised, providing more than 237,000 kids with a camp experience at absolutely no cost to them or their families. With the funds raised on Camp Day, Tim Hortons Restaurant Owners sponsor kids directly from their local communities to attend camp. They work closely with local youth organizations and schools to identify kids who would benefit most from the experience.

"We help kids unlock their hidden strengths, and develop critical life skills that will help them to find their own success and thrive as contributing members of their communities," says Dave Newnham, President and Executive Director, Tim Horton Children's Foundation. "Our camps aren't just a fun visit away from home, these intentional experiences can be the catalyst to change their outlook on life and gain greater confidence about their future."

Young people who grow up in low-income homes are less likely to graduate from high school or pursue post-secondary education and are at a higher risk of living in poverty and relying on social assistance as adults*. Foundation programs are designed to provide children and youth with opportunities to develop skills and values that help set them on a different path in life.

"My journey with the Tim Horton Children's Foundation camp began when I was 10 and continued for the next five summers as part of the Youth Leadership Program," says Aziza Abdul Qader, THCF camp alumni. "When I first arrived, I was nervous and had low self-esteem. At camp, I was encouraged to push forward, challenge myself and try new things. By the time I was 16 and completed my program, I had discovered my voice and felt like I could do anything, like pursue a career in physiotherapy."

How Camp Day is helping kids beyond summer camp experiences
In addition to summer programs, THCF camps operate programming throughout the year, welcoming schools and organizations that serve low-income communities to participate in free-of-cost camp experiences. At camp, kids participate in a wide range of purposeful programs and activities designed to build self-confidence, self-esteem and leadership skills. The THCF also offers a unique Youth Leadership Program, which takes place over five summers and focuses on building lifelong leadership skills, teamwork and independence. Graduates of the Youth Leadership Program are eligible for financial support through the Carolee House Bursary Program to attend post-secondary education. Since 2002, more than $6 million in bursaries have been distributed to students pursuing university, college or a trade certificate program.

How Tim Hortons is raising awareness for Camp Day in Restaurant
To showcase the benefits of Camp Day and celebrate the 25^th anniversary, Tim Hortons launched an exciting new cup design. Available in four different colours (orange, green, blue and purple), these cups feature speech bubbles that showcase the impact of what buying a cup of coffee can have on kids' experience at camp including: helping kids believe in themselves, helping to create a brighter future, helping to build courage and confidence, and helping kids to be their best.

This year, Guests who want to help to raise awareness about Camp Day can also purchase a Camp Day bracelet at participating Restaurants. Camp Day bracelets, available in four colours (orange, green, blue and purple), are $2 plus tax while supplies last. Guests are invited to wear the bracelets in support of the Tim Horton Children's Foundation.

Additionally, Tim Hortons has been driving attention to Camp day in more than 450 grocery stores across Canada by promoting shoppers to donate any time at timscampday.ca with free samples of dark roast coffee throughout the month of May. Every Camp Day donation counts.   

How to join the Camp Day conversation
Tag #CampDay
Like THCF on Facebook facebook.com/timhortonchildrensfoundation
Follow THCF on Twitter @THCF1974
Follow THCF on Instagram @THCF1974
Subscribe to THCF on YouTube @youtube.com/THCF1974
Like Tim Hortons on Facebook facebook.com/TimHortons
Follow Tim Hortons on Twitter @TimHortons
Follow Tim Hortons on Instagram @TimHortons
Subscribe to Tim Hortons on YouTube youtube.com/TimHortons

*Breaking the Cycle: Ontario's Poverty Reduction Plan, 2009; Child Poverty and Adult Success, Caroline Ratcliffe, Urban Institute, 2015; The Impact of Poverty on the Current and Future Health Status of Children, Gupta, de Wit & McKeown, Paediatrics & Child Health, 2007; Linking Poverty and Mental Health: A lifespan view, Lipman & Boyle, 2008.

About the Tim Horton Children's Foundation     
The Tim Horton Children's Foundation (THCF) is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 1974 that is committed to providing an enriched and memorable camp experience for children and youth from low-income families. The Foundation's funding comes from Tim Hortons Camp Day, fundraising activities, special events, and year-round public donations collected through counter and drive-thru coin boxes, as well as other donations. By the end of 2016, more than 237,000 children will have attended a Foundation camp at no cost to them or their families. For more information about the Tim Horton Children's Foundation, please visit www.thcf.com.

About the Tim Horton Children's Foundation Camps
The first Tim Horton Children's Foundation camp opened in Parry Sound, ON in 1975 with just 200 kids. Today, the Foundation operates seven camps across North America and will serve more than 19,000 children from low-income families in 2016. Camp programs include a traditional summer camp for kids ages nine to 12, an experience lasting three to seven days in length for schools and youth-serving agencies throughout the fall, winter and spring, and a five-level Youth Leadership Program for participants ages 13 to 17, focused on building lifelong leadership skills. Guests can make donations year-round at thcf.com.   

Tim Hortons^® Overview
TIM HORTONS^®, part of Restaurant Brands International, is one of North America's largest restaurant chains operating in the quick service segment. Founded as a single location in Canada in 1964, TIM HORTONS^® appeals to a broad range of consumer tastes, with a menu that includes premium coffee, hot and cold specialty drinks (including lattes, cappuccinos and espresso shots), specialty teas and fruit smoothies, fresh baked goods, grilled Panini and classic sandwiches, wraps, soups, prepared foods and other food products. As of December 31, 2015, TIM HORTONS^® had more than 4,400 system wide restaurants located in Canada, the United States and the Middle East. More information about the Company is available at www.timhortons.com.

About Restaurant Brands International
Restaurant Brands International Inc. is one of the world's largest quick service restaurant companies with approximately $23 billion in system sales and over 19,000 restaurants in approximately 100 countries and U.S. territories. Restaurant Brands International owns two of the world's most prominent and iconic quick service restaurant brands – TIM HORTONS® and BURGER KING®. These independently operated brands have been serving their respective guests, franchisees, and communities for over 50 years. To learn more about Restaurant Brands International, please visit the Company's website at www.rbi.com.

SOURCE Tim Hortons

Image with caption: "Today Tim Hortons Restaurant Owners donate 100 per cent of the proceeds from coffee sales to the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation to help send kids across North America on a life-changing camp experience. (CNW Group/Tim Hortons)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160601_C5591_PHOTO_EN_703113.jpg

Image with caption: "In celebration of the 25th anniversary, Tim Hortons launched a new cup design that showcases the life-changing benefits of Camp Day. Available in four different colours (orange, green, blue and purple), the cups feature speech bubbles showing the impact of what buying a cup of coffee can have on kids’ experience at camp including: helping kids believe in themselves, helping to create a brighter future, helping to build courage and confidence, and helping kids to be their best. (CNW Group/Tim Hortons)". Image available at: https://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160601_C5591_PHOTO_EN_703115.jpg

For further information: or to arrange an interview, please contact: mediainquiries@timhortons.com