The Share A Cup Campaign poster
The holidays are over and it’s time to get back to the daily grind, but that doesn't mean the brave women and men of the Canadian Forces don't still need a little pick-me-up.
By taking a page from the book of Toronto Emergency Medical Services personnel, you can share a cup of coffee, and few inspiring words, with brave Canucks.
The Share A Cup Campaign
Now in its 2nd year, the Share a Cup With a Brave Canuck campaign invites Canadians to donate Tim Hortons gift cards for men and women of the Canadian Forces to enjoy at the Kandahar Base Tim Hortons outlet.
Ric Rangel-Bron, Share-A-Cup Coordinator and manager of operations at EMS, says that the campaign was so successful that they had collected over 6000 cards by their December 16 deadline. The overwhelming response has inspired organizers to continue the campaign year-round, so our troops can enjoy a little piece of home long after you’ve taken down your tree and trimmings.
How to participate
1. Go to any Tim Hortons outlet and purchase the quantity of Tim Cards you wish to send. Organizers ask that each Tim Card be in $10.00 denominations.
2. Place the receipt in the Tim Card envelope, behind the actual plastic Tim Card, just in case that your Tim Card was encoded incorrectly. The staff in Kandahar will honour the receipt value.
3. Here’s the writing part! Pick up your pen and write a personal message on the flap of the Tim Card envelope. According to Rangel-Bron, this is the part our troops like the most - a message from you, the average Canadian!
4. Send your Tim Cards to Toronto EMS at the following address:
Share A Cup With A Brave Canuck! Challenge
Toronto Emergency Medical Services
4330 Dufferin Street
Toronto, Ontario
Canada, M3H 5R9
Attn: Ric Rangel-Bron
5. Sit back and reflect on how you have just made the day a little bit better for one of our brave Canadians so far away from home!!
More information
To keep updated on the campaign, visit the Share a Cup website at www.shareacup.ca
You can also visit the Toronto EMS website at www.torontoems.ca for photos and updates.
Benefits of the campaign
While your day-to-day may consist of shuttling your kids to and fro, or putting in a few hours at the office, that's nothing compared to what our troops in Afghanistan must deal with.
By picking up your pen and including a special message for the lucky Canadian Forces recipient of your Tim Hortons gift card, you are supporting our troops as well as sending them a little reminder of our great country and our appreciation for their dedication and bravery.
Your opinion matters
What are your thoughts on this campaign? Had you heard of it before? Would you consider sending a gift card to Canadian troops? Share your thoughts in the comments section!
Do you have a tip on local writing events? Email your comments, questions or suggestions for future articles to torontowriting@gmail.com
Comments
I think it is a great idea ! I am surprised that I have not heard of this. Why doesn't Tim Hortons advertise such a thing, considering people are being asked to donate 'Tim Horton' gift cards. Timmies should be all over this !
Remember, regardless of your political views and whether or not you agree or disagree with the deployment of Canadian troops to Afghanistan, these are still Canadians who are just doing their jobs.
That would be 6000 cards collected, not 600.
Thank you for covering this
Tim Horton's IS all over this :) They have greatly helped us with this program; they just don't want their name to be the main focus: Bravo Tim's!
Yes, indeed, thank you for covering this. In the two years, this program has spread like wildfire! Take a look at www.shareacup.ca for some great feedback and pictures!
SEND IN YOUR CARDS EVERYONE!!!
Program processor ;)
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