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September saw plenty of franchises feeling charitable and giving back to local communities all across Canada. Read on to find out how these franchises are giving back and to see the full depth of franchise generosity in this Monthly Franchising News September Roundup.
Local Canadian Tire Donates $20k to Charities
An Oakville Canadian Tire donated $20,000 to two local children’s charities, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton and Hamilton and the Lighthouse for Grieving Children. Each foundation received donations of $10,000. The donations were the result of fundraising efforts during the automotive retail franchise’s Jumpstart Month Campaign in June where customers were encouraged to make donations at the store. The Kerr Street Canadian Tire raised more than $12,000, which is being used to help underprivileged kids become involved in organized sport programs. Because of their amazing fundraising efforts, Canadian Tire corporate awarded the Kerr Street Canadian Tire a $20,000 community donation to their charities of choice, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton and Hamilton and the Lighthouse for Grieving Children.
Baskin-Robbins Across Durham Help Kids All September Long
Baskin-Robbins locations in Durham spent all September raising funds for Boys and Girls Club of Canada. The franchise donated 31 cents from every personalized cake sold during the month of September. The franchise also invited guests to purchase a paper icon in the form of a child superhero. Proceeds from this purchase also went toward the Boys and Girls Club. The two organizations began working together in 2017, and the ice cream franchise raised an initial $3,738 for the charity earlier this year through its National Ice Cream Month activities. Baskin-Robbins hopes to have raised $25,000 through its September campaign.
A&W Canada Raises $1.9 Million for MS Research
In its 10th annual Burgers to Beat MS campaign, A&W Canada announced this month that it achieved record-breaking donations. The quick service restaurant franchise partnered with the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Canada and two-time Olympic medalist and campaign spokesperson Christine Sinclair to raise more than $1.9 million to support MS research. The campaign took place on August 16 at all franchise locations across Canada. $2 from the sale of every Teen Burger was donated toward MS research, programs, services, and advocacy efforts. In their 10 years of running the campaign, A&W Canada has raised nearly $13 million, making the franchise the single largest annual corporate fundraiser for the MS Society of Canada.
Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign Returns
Tim Hortons teamed up with local charities across Canada this September for the annual Smile Cookie campaign that ran September 17 – 21. For each $1 chocolate chunk Smile Cookie sold, the coffee franchise donated 100% of the proceeds to local charities, hospitals, and community programs. The cheerful cookies raised $7.8 million for more than 500 organizations across Canada. Tim Hortons started the Smile Cookie campaign in 1996 as a way to raise funds for the Hamilton Children’s Hospital in Ontario. Charities supported by this year's initiative included The Children's Breakfast Clubs in Toronto, the Empty Stocking Fund in Halifax, Children's Wish in Montreal, and the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation in Saskatoon.