Have a coffee and change a life on Tim Hortons Camp Day

100% of all coffee sales today will give thousands of deserving children a once-in-a-lifetime experience

Your daily cup of coffee and a donation will make a world of difference to a child in your local community today. Tim Hortons Camp Day - the annual fundraiser that sends economically disadvantaged kids to camp - is back with the goal of sending even more kids to camp.

On Camp Day, Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop restaurant owners generously donate all proceeds from coffee sales to the Tim Horton Children's Foundation (THCF), helping send kids on an unforgettable, fun-filled camping adventure to help inspire them for a better future. Last year alone, thanks to Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop guests and through the efforts of more than 3,700 Tim Hortons restaurants, a record $11 million was raised in the United States and Canada. More than 15,000 kids were able to experience the life-changing impact of a Tim Horton Children's camp.

"The mission of Tim Horton Children's Foundation is to help break the cycle of poverty by giving economically disadvantaged children the skills and mindset to aspire for a brighter future," said Dave Newnham, vice president and executive director, Tim Horton Children's Foundation. "We've seen time and time again that once a child attends our camp, they return home with a more positive attitude and greater confidence about their future. Our goal is to see more of that with more children. And, Camp Day is our single-most important fundraiser to help make that happen."

With their purchase of coffee today, Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop guests directly impact the children in their local communities who are able to take part in the experience of a lifetime. Guests can also help send even more kids to camp by donating in the following ways:

·        Text CAMP to 41518 to donate $5
·        Online at www.sendakidtocamp.com
·        Rent-a-Tent for a $1 donation in restaurant
·        Rent-a-Cabin for a $5 donation in restaurant

"The success of Camp Day, and ultimately the Tim Horton Children's Foundation, wouldn't be possible without our loyal guests and the generosity and dedication of Tim Hortons restaurant owners and team members," added Newnham.

Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop restaurant owners work closely with local youth organizations and schools in their communities to identify those kids in their community who would most benefit from an experience at camp. Most often, this camp experience is the first time a child has travelled outside their town or city or has ever experienced camp. During their stay at a THCF camp, kids participate in a wide range of first-class programs and activities designed to build self-confidence, self-esteem and leadership skills. The powerful life experiences learned at THCF camps come at absolutely no cost to the kids and their families.

The Tim Horton Children's Foundation started in 1975 in Parry Sound, ON with just one camp and 200 kids. It now operates six year-round camps across North America and has served more than 180,000 kids through its innovative year-round programming. Children attend one of three types of programs offered, including a traditional summer camp (ages 9-12), a year-round camp serving schools and youth groups (ages 8-18) in the fall, winter and spring, and a five-level youth leadership program focused on building lifelong leadership skills (ages 13-18).

Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend

I am going to start this blog with my own big shout out to the many people who crowd the sidelines of the race every year to cheer, congratulate and encourage the thousands of runners who pass by.   Thank you, thank you!  

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Easy Eats Away from Home

Get equipped

Having the right tools can make all of the difference in being prepared to eat well.  Away from home and on your own?  A crock pot can be your best friend.  Other appliances that are guaranteed to make meal time easy are:  a rice cooker, a bullet blender and a toaster oven.

MIKT Tip

Sharing a place with others?  Try to buy all of your supplies and utensils in the same colour to easily identify what is yours.

Don’t break the bank

Be sure to check out local garage sales, thrift stores and even online boards for gently used items.  This will help offset the cost of setting up your kitchen. 

Recipe Research

The internet is full of  recipes and ideas.  Pick a few favourite sites and make use them to plan your meals weekly.  Check out Pinterest,  , all recipes, cooks.com and my favourite Kitchen Konnected.   .  

Putting the Squeeze on Cancer: Great Canadian Standemonium Fundrasier for Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation

Kids take a stand by fundraising to support programs and research for cancers that impact children. 

With today’s Kick Off, the countdown is on to the Great Canadian Lemonade Standemonium, the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation’s fun fundraising campaign that lets kids help put the squeeze on cancer. 

Participation is easy, fun and open to everyone.  You just need to register your stand at www.ottawacancer.ca/Lemonade.aspx and you are one your way.  Fundraising starts online where each child participant has their own personalized headquarters to track their progress and accept donations.  Funds raised support cancer programs and research into cancers that impact children. TAKE a stand against cancer, all you have to do is MAKE a stand. Get started today.

Make the Stand

The kids and I have turned our puppet theatre into an adorable and functional lemonade stand.  We have also created a mobile stand using our wagon.  Need more inspiration.  Check out some fun stands on my Lovely Lemonade Stands Pinterest board.  Here

 

• Paint and decorate with bright colours.
• Consider using chalkboard paint to make an instant sign on the stand.
• Paint large letters that stand out.  Remember, kids lettering and handwriting are really much cuter than adults. 
• Attach pinwheels, streamers, balloons or other moving decorations to draw attention. 

Spread the Word

Make sure that people hear about this June 22 event well before the date.  This will allow them to make time to drop by your stand that day or to make an advance donation. 

Be sure to let people know that you are raising money for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.

• Contact your local paper and give them the details.
• Create a flyer and deliver it to neighbours.
• Make a “Coming Soon” sign for your lawn. 
• Tell you teachers and school friends.
• Hang up posters in your neighbourhoood.
• Call your relatives near and far.
• Have Mom and Dad send an e-mail to their contacts.
• Get Mom or Dad to create a Facebook event for your stand.
• Include a link to your online stand with all of your advertisement

Stand Out to Attract Customers

We are hoping for great weather for our June 22, Great Canadian Lemonade Standemonium, but we cannot rely on the sunshine alone to bring out customers.  We will have to make some noise to get their attention. 

• Use Ontario produce when you can and let customers know that your lemonade is fresh.  Display a basket of colourful lemons on your table to get attention.
• Make great signs.  Use large letters, arrows and eye catching colours. 
• Put out a bowl of water for dogs.  This will help to attract people who are just out walking their dogs. 
• Play music and get your groove on.  Dance, dance, dance.
• Offer baked goods or watermelon for sale at your table as well. 
• Bring out your pom poms and shout out a lemonade cheer.

Stay busy, keep it fun!

Stay busy between customers, it will make the day fly by and will attract people to the activity at your stand. 

• Make crafts - friendship pins, bracelets and keepsakes
• Chalk
• Skipping
• Cheering
• Hopscotch
• Jacks

Customer Service for 101 for Kids

 

Young entrepreneurs and community builders gain valuable experience by participating in the Great Canadian Lemonade Standemonium.  Principals of marketing and good customers service are essential to fundraising success.  

• Be polite and cheerful.
• Smile at your customers and thank them for stopping by, even if they don't buy anything.
• Give the customer your full attention when they arrive. 
• Engage the customer is small talk, “How is your day going?  Did you have a lemonade stand as a kid?”
• Upsell by suggesting baked goods.

We are so excited to participate in this event.  We are counting down the days.  Spread the word and tell your friends to get involved.  It's easy and fun. 

Mother’s Day Ideas and Inspiration

Mother's Day Ideas

CTV Morning Live - May 6, 2013

Julie prepares a Foodland Ontario Pizza Party Salad, makes stepping stones and shares ideas for Mother's Day gifts and crafts

Decorate the House

Festively decorate the house with balloons, streamers and a big bouquet of flowers on the dining room table.  This will be sure to surprise her.

Extra Touch

These helium balloons are so much fun.  Hang family photos and messages on ties.  What a beautiful idea.

A Homemade Mother's Day Card 

All you need for this activity is a pair of scissors, coloured construction paper and markers or crayons.

Cut the piece of paper into a shape, like a heart. If your child is old enough to write, have them write a message on the card. If they cannot write, you can write "Happy Mother's Day," on the front of the card. On the inside, let your child draw a bunch of pictures. Stickers can also be added.

Keepsake Box 

For this Mother's Day craft, you have a number of different options. Your child can either decorate a shoe box with paint, construction paper, markers or stickers. Or, you can purchase a wooden box that your child can paint and decorate themselves. These boxes are often affordably priced and sold at most craft stores or online.

For an extra personal touch to this homemade Mother's Day gift, you and your child can add a few more item. Have them draw a picture for their mother or add in a few family photographs.

Stepping Stones

Stepping stones for the garden, especially those that include dates or hand prints are gifts that Mom with cherish.  This is an easy craft.  All you need is a little imagination and some special love for mom. 

 

http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/steppingstones/a/040201a.htm

Framed Family Drawing

A simple drawing from your child can make a great Mother's Day gift. What you will want to do though is put the drawing into a picture frame. If you do not have an extra picture frame around your house, many dollar stores sell frames for certificates, which can fit most blank sheets of drawing paper or computer paper.

As for what your child can draw, colour, or even paint, have the theme be family oriented. They can draw a picture of your family. Finger paints can also be used to make a page of your child's handprints. Multiple paint colours can be used to create a colourful masterpiece. If your child can write, have them write a simple note, like "I Love You Mom." Remember, be sure to frame the final result.

Decorated picture frames

Grab that camera and be on the lookout. Surprise Mom with a picture frame holding a photo of her and her little ones in a tender moment together. You provide the photo, and let your children decorate the frame. Purchase easy, plain wooden frames for your kids to decorate; these can be found at any craft store. Let children paint, add stickers, write words or glue sequins all over.

Make a Mother's Day Appreciation Jar

Purchase a small decorative jar with a lid to serve as the container. Cut dozens of slips of plain paper. On each paper, write the reasons why you love Mom. Ask your children to write messages of appreciation and love to their mother as well.

Make an Easy 'Love' Book

This craft is all about finding ways to tell Mom you love her. Purchase a decorative journal (or create your own simple book) and help your kids write all the ways they love their mom on the book pages. Be sure to throw in your own special messages of love.

Older Children

Have  older children pick out a book by one of Mom's favourite authors and have them write a short dedication that tells her how much they appreciate her and how she's earned time to relax and enjoy. 

 
Have the kids volunteer to do community service with mom. It's a great way to spend time with together and teaches the kids about helping others. Depending on Mom's interests, sign the kids and Mom up to volunteer at the local animal shelter, soup kitchen or retirement home.  

 Make dinner for Mom

I love this pizza party salad from Foodland Ontario . 

Extra Touch

Make an easy arrangement of twigs and decorate your dinner table with your favourite pictures of Mom.