Roll up the rim with the Rimroller and a Contest

By / Par: Andrea Willowcat - St. Jean Baptiste, Manitoba

Category / Catégorie: Eating and drinking Canadian

It's that time of year again! What time? Why it's R-r-r-r-roll up the r-r-r-r-rim to win time!

I couldn't think of a better time to get a caffeine fix in order to get spring cleaning done, well maybe not, but go get your ‘extra large double double' and an apple fritter and enjoy a little Canadiana. But before I begin...

For kicks, Buy Canadian First is hosting its own contest!!

We have 4 - $10 Tim Hortons gift cards to give away! Leave us your email and comments about why you buy Canadian and Friday morning (March 13th) we will pick 4 winners using a random numbers generator. Good Luck!

Now, for a bit of history and facts...

Tim Horton was born in Cochrane Ontario in 1930 and was signed to the Maple Leafs in 1949. He played 17 full seasons and 3 partial seasons with the Leafs, he also played briefly for the New York Rangers before he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. His final years in hockey were with the Buffalo Sabres. His whole 22-year career with the NHL was played as a steadfast defenseman on the blue line. Famous for his strength, Gordie Howe called Horton "hockey's strongest man" but despite his legendary strength, Horton was not a supporter for violence on the ice.

Horton knew that his hockey career wouldn't last forever so he sought out a way to supplement his hockey income. In 1964, Horton decided to try out the coffee and doughnut business and opened a location in Hamilton, Ontario. In 1967 he became partners with retired police offer and franchisee of the Tim Hortons store # 1, Ron Joyce. The rest, as they say, is history.

Horton never saw the chain's iconic success. While returning to Buffalo from a game at Maple Leaf Gardens, Horton was killed in a tragic car accident on February 21, 1974. At the time there were only 40 Tim Hortons locations. The Buffalo Sabres retired his jersey as a tribute to his memory.

Today, Tim Hortons has 2,942 stores in Canada and employs well over 10,000 Canadians comprised of many talented individuals with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, styles and characteristics.

Tim Hortons offers a vast array of employment positions that include some or all of these ‘perks'; Flexible schedules, Convenient locations, competitive wages, comprehensive training, free uniforms, advancement opportunities, incentive programs and benefits.

The true wonders of this company are the community involvement and care of its staff. Every year Tim Hortons give out 20 $1,000 scholarships in Canada to their staff, their children and grandchildren, who also believe in giving back to their community through volunteer work.

It is great to know that the place where you work is concerned about your education and is willing to help out. I am very grateful to Tim Hortons for their support.
- 2005 Tim Hortons Scholarship Recipient

Certainly the goodwill and programs doesn't stop there, in fact this company with its rich Canadian roots does so much more. The Children's Foundation was founded in 1974 to the memory of Tim Horton who loved kids. The foundation sends kids to camp from economically disadvantaged homes. Local programs like free spring break skate and swim times, Tim Bits minor sports program, Earn a bike and more. Tim Hortons support local organizations and charities with donations or sponsorship as well as national sport sponsorships including curling, CFL, NHL, fishing and the Canadian Cycling Association. Sustainable coffee program supporting farmers in their communities and an environmental campaign with several different projects, Tim Hortons is a leader in community involvement.

The Toyota segway...

Now, going back to the Roll-up-the-rim-to-win contest...There are over 31,026,135 prizes to be won ranging from a beverage to to a brand new Toyota Venza. While the Venza is not Canadian made, Toyota does make the Corolla, Rav4 and Matrix right here in Canada! Here is their current promotional campaign about it! All three models are top of their class for fuel efficiency combined with Toyota's quality and affordability.

Our own Melissa, Partner and Director of Marketing is a very proud owner of a 2009 AWD Toyota Matrix, which she bought because (one) she loved the new model and (two) because it was made in Canada (we don't just talk a good talk here at Buy Canadian First, we really do walk it too ;-)

Necessity is the mother of invention...

So we have our contest cup and we are using our teeth and hurting our fingers trying to roll up the rim to see if we won... But now, there is a better way. Buy Canadian First member, Paul Kind of Novel Solutions has invented a gadget known as the Rimroller that was featured in CBC's Dragon's Dene in October of 2008. The Rimroller is easy to use: just push down and pull up. You can buy them at Lee Valley or any Zellers location for less than $3.

Iona, of Novel Solutions, wanted me to point out that the Rimroller allows you to see if you've won and if you did, you need to remove the whole message (French and English) otherwise you may be denied your prize! You have until May 24th, 2009 to claim your Roll-up prizes. Our contest ends this Friday, with the winners being announced Friday as well.

Image source: Tim Hortons, Toyota Canada, BuyCanadianFirst.ca

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Tags / Balises: Alberta, Automotive industry, British Columbia, Buy Canadian, Careers, Cause, Charity, Community, Consumers, Culture, Drinks, Employment, Family, Gifts, Heritage, Hockey, Innovation, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Success Story, Yukon

By Carol-AnnOster March 10, 2009

As a small business owner myself, I believe in supporting in the local economy. I also believe that Canada is home to some of the most wonderfully innovative and unique products in the world, while quality remains a top priority.

By CaraSwenson March 10, 2009

I buy Canadian because A) I am Canadian and B) Canadians are the friendliest, happiest, most artistic people with great customer service skills and some of the coolest handmade products :)

By MelissaThibodeau March 10, 2009

I buy Canadian because I can't NOT anymore. I know too much about our manufacturers and what's at stake when we don't buy Canadian. Everyone should always consider a Canadian-made product over a foreign-made one just because of the ripple effect that one decision could have on thousands of lives... not to mention our economy. If all Canadian bought Canadian-made, even a 4th of the time, imagine the impact it would have on the environment and on our economy...?

By TinaChicki March 10, 2009

I buy Canadian because I want to support our countries businesses and our economy. Take a look at products made out there and notice how many of the items we use everyday are Made in Canada.

By JuliePedersen March 10, 2009

I buy Canadian First for many reasons. I love to support businesses located and operated in Canada. I believe that money made here should be spent here. I also love to buy Canadian made crafts from my fellow Canadians because there are so many extremely talented Canadian Artists and think that we all should encourage them to continue their crafts. One more excellent reason, is that by buying Canadian First, we have more control over what exactly is put into products. Nothing worse than purchasing something made in another country that doesn't care what hazardous materials are in a product or doesn't care about the health and well-being of their employees.

That is just a few of the reasons why I buy Canadian First!

By AndeePenner March 11, 2009

Of course I go Canadian all the way anytime I can! Being a small business owner, I know how important it is to support local businesses both from a consumer and a merchant. As years go by, it's less and less of a challenge to find high quality products of all kinds made right here in Canada. And to take it to the next level, buy local!!

By EmilyFryer March 11, 2009

Despite a location on every corner, I never would have imagined that Tim Horton's employs that many people. It's great to learn that they are such a motivated and motivating employer.

Here, here for Tim's!

By BrandiN March 12, 2009

I buy Canadian because I like to feel connected to the items that I am buying. Usually, if I buy something made here, I can find out about the place the item was made, who made it and the philosophy behind it. In terms of food items, buying Canadian ensures freshness! I prefer that my food comes from around the corner, rather than being trucked in from 1000's of miles away.

By andreawillowcat March 13, 2009

thanks everyone for your comments and playing i our first ever giveaway! good luck
I buy Canadian because the products are available to me it takes but a moment to read a label and discover how much is made right here at home