“We had a neighbour boy who got to go. He was very excited .... It was just an amazing experience, and I'm sure it is for every camper that gets to go.”
This is what Hilda Froese of Winkler said of Tim Hortons Foundation Camps, an organization with the objective of “helping youth from underserved communities achieve their full potential” in a camp setting.
When it comes to prioritizing youth, Tim Hortons Foundation Camps does so with the help of the community through its Tim Hortons Camp Day events.
This year, residents from across the Pembina Valley flocked to Tim Hortons locations on July 16th to do their part in creating new opportunities for youth in the region.
A reason for the community to unite
For Camp Day at the Winkler, Morden, Carman, Altona, and Morris Tim Hortons locations, support came through a steady stream of rounding up purchases, donation badges, bracelets, donuts, and coffee.
100% of the proceeds from hot or iced coffee and specially developed Camp Day donuts — a chocolate donut with chocolate fondant and chocolate shavings — went to Tim Hortons Foundation Camps.
“When you purchase a coffee or iced coffee or band or donuts, you’re just helping [the foundation] to get more money to send more kids to camp,” said Raj, the store manager in Altona.
Familiar faces
The community affair was also punctuated by noteworthy guests and volunteers who helped serve the treats of the day.
In Altona, members from the local police service, fire department, and Mayor Harv Schroeder offered their assistance.
“[We are] serving coffee, maybe encouraging people to donate — [Tim Hortons] has some bracelets for sale — and if guests are willing to give a donation, they will be sending a few kids from Altona to camp,” he said.
How much was raised?
In Altona, $2,289.19 was raised on Camp Day, and in Morris, $2,963.80.
"This will greatly help to send [underserved] kids in our communities to the life-changing experience of Tims camp," said Rupesh Patel, owner of the Altona and Morris locations.
At the Winkler, Morden, and Carman locations, community efforts resulted in $18,065.87 to send youth to camp, which exceeds the goal of $15,000 that was set before the 16th.
The Pembina Valley totals are added to the $262 million that Tim Hortons, Tims restaurant owners, and guests have raised for Tim Hortons Foundation Camps since 1991.
For Sarah Friesen, the manager at the Winkler location, 2025’s Camp Day's success wouldn't have been possible without the public's enthusiasm.
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“We started on [July] 2nd with bracelets, badges and roundups, so we've had incredible support in all three of our locations,” she said. “We've had so much coffee and iced coffee coming through, and I just want to thank the community for this amazing support that we get each year. It's just been wonderful.”
To learn more about Tim Hortons Foundation Camps, click here.
With files from Robyn Wiebe and Zack Driedger
