Camp Day gives support to thousands of kids

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on July 18, 2024.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman A Tim Hortons employee collects a cash donation from a drive through customer while others organize the various items being sold for donations during Camp Day 2024 at the Heritage Blvd. location on the westside of the city.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

For many local youth enjoying summer activities could be difficult due to cost but thanks to Tim Hortons’ Camp Day thousands have been able to take part in developing lifelong skills for the last 50 years.

Stefa Pynn, owner of three West Lethbridge Tim Hortons locations, says it is very important for her and her family to be able to help local youth take part in camps.

“Camp Day has been around for 50 years and it’s super important because it serves underserved youth in our community and particularly here in Lethbridge,” said Pynn.

She said she has been lucky to meet some of the kids that have gone to camp and explained that the camp is not only a one day event or a one time activity.

“I think a lot of people don’t know it’s actually not one year at camp it’s a multi-year experience for these kids to really help them with their leadership and development,” said Pynn.

She said the idea is to help youth change their outcome and course of life with some positivity, encouragement and confidence.

“We try and do anything to get money in the register for the children’s foundation so things like the bottle depot, we try and sell as many things as we possibly can,” said Penny.

She said those include T-shirts, mugs, travel mugs and they introduced a unique idea to involve children from a west Lethbridge school.

“We are selling pieces of art. We had the Dr. Probe school Grade 4 students put together some artwork, we’re asking for donations and then they get to walk home with a piece of art,” said Pynn.

She said they are very excited to be able to involve young children to help in their own way.

“They might not have the money to donate but they’re using their creativity and artistic endeavour to be able to give back to the foundation,” said Pynn.

She explained the children donate a piece of art and the guest as they come through they can decide what that piece of art is worth to them and donate accordingly.

“We’re starting the donation experience at a young age and giving back to the community at a young age,” said Pynn.

She said all the money collected from the various items sold would go straight to the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps to be able to help local youth take part of camp.

“The turnout has been great, we tried and get going first thing in the morning so when people are coming through for their morning coffee, we try to get the excitement going and educate them about the foundation and camp day,” said Pynn.

She said within the 50 years the camps have helped 320,000 kids across Canada and United States through six camps in Canada and one in the USA.