With the holiday season fast approaching, Paramedics of Winnipeg, MGEU Local 911, is launching the Share a Cup with a Brave Canuck Challenge to spread a little cheer to Canadian Forces troops stationed in Afghanistan. The program involves the purchase a Tim Hortons gift card that will be sent to members of the Canadian Forces serving in Afghanistan (yes, there’s a Tim’s location at the Kandahar Base).
“The men and women of our armed services do a tremendous job under the most difficult of circumstances in providing security for the Afghan people half-way around the world,” said MGEU Local 911 President Chris Broughton. “We are asking Winnipeggers to share the spirit of the holidays with our soldiers who serve so well on our behalf.”
The Share a Cup with a Brave Canuck Challenge started last year with Toronto EMS. Part of their initiative this year was to challenge other EMS components from across the country to join them in their efforts. Winnipeg EMS was quick to take up the challenge. The Winnipeg portion of the Challenge closes on December 14th, 2009 so cards can get to Toronto for the first shipment to Afghanistan in time for the holidays. There are currently 2,900 Canadian Forces personnel serving in Afghanistan. The goal of organizing committee in Toronto is to raise approximately 12,000 Tim Cards.
Here’s how interested Winnipeggers can participate:
1) Go to any Tim Hortons outlet and purchase the quantity of Tim Cards you wish to send. We are asking that each Tim Card be in $10.00 denominations.
2) Please ensure that you place the receipt in the Tim Card envelope, behind the actual plastic Tim Card, just in case your Tim Card was encoded incorrectly. The staff in Kandahar will honour the receipt value.
3) Write your personal message on the flap of the Tim Card envelope. This is the part our troops like the most - a message from the average Canadian!
4) Either drop off your Tim Card at any Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service facility (fire hall or ambulance station), drop off a cheque payable to: Share a Cup Winnipeg and we’ll purchase cards for you, or mail a cheque to:
Share a Cup with a Brave Canuck,
c/o WFPS
2nd floor 185 King
Winnipeg, MB R3B 1J1