Published on Business Wire on January 13, 2025.

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Baskin-Robbins Canada delivered today a cheque for $30,000 to BGC Canada (formerly Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada), which it raised through its their 2024 Pink Spoon fundraiser. Held throughout the month of September, the campaign featured $1 from the sale of every Baskin-Robbins’ new Non-Dairy Real Fruit Smoothies, available in two flavours, fresh mango or strawberry, which was directed to BGC Canada.

“Our partnership with BGC Canada has grown over the years, and we couldn’t be happier to support such a good cause,” said Natalie Joseph, spokesperson for Baskin-Robbins in Canada. “The success we’ve enjoyed with our annual fundraisers would not be possible without the generosity of our Canadian guests. Together, as champions of BGC Canada, we’ve made a real impact on the lives of young people across Canada.”

The fundraiser is part of an ongoing partnership between Baskin-Robbins and BGC Canada that includes scholarships, in-kind gifts and cause promotion. Collectively, these efforts contribute to BGC’s critical programs that empower youth to succeed and build brighter futures.

“We’re very grateful to Baskin-Robbins and its guests for their commitment to our work,” said Brooke Duval, Senior Director, Partnerships & Philanthropy at BGC Canada. “The funds raised will allow us to enhance our programs and support more youth across the country. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Baskin-Robbins and working together to build stronger communities.”

Since its inception, the Pink Spoon program has raised more than $165,000 for BGC Canada. The program’s vision is a world where children can enjoy the sweetness of childhood.

Baskin-Robbins

Baskin-Robbins, founded in the United States in 1945, is the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, with more than 7,700 retail shops in 33 global markets. Celebrating 52 years in Canada, Baskin-Robbins operates 115 locations in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia. Baskin-Robbins is part of the Inspire Brands family of restaurants. For more information, visit BaskinRobbins.ca and InspireBrands.com.

About BGC Canada

For 125 years, BGC Canada (formerly Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada) has been creating opportunities for millions of Canadian kids and teens. As Canada’s largest child and youth serving charitable and community services organization, our Clubs open their doors to young people of all ages and their families at over 600 locations nationwide. During out-of-school hours in small and large cities, and rural and Indigenous communities, our trained staff and volunteers provide programs and services that help young people realize positive outcomes in self-expression, academics, healthy living, physical activity, job readiness, mental wellness, social development, leadership, and more. Opportunity changes everything. Learn more at bgccan.com and follow us on social media @BGCCAN.

Contacts

For more information:

Julie Krupa
514-264-3851
Julie@torchiacom.com

Mary Moniz
647-278-0152
Mary@torchiacom.com

Left: BGC West Scarborough ‘Ambassadors’ take time out of their busy day to thank Baskin-Robbins for its support of BGC Canada.

Right: 2024 Youth of The Year Finalists Enjoy Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream.

By Owen Charters

I recently attended the 50th anniversary celebrations of Boys & Girls Club of Brantford and had a chance to honour the Rotary members, the Brantford Police Service, and other community volunteers who created the Club and continue to support its vital work.

Fifty years is relatively young in the lives of Clubs—we have many Clubs that are older, and a few that are younger. But no matter the age of a Club, these community supports are essential. Attending the anniversary celebrations of Clubs is a great way to connect and see their impact. Not just their day-to-day impact, but the impact they have made over successive generations. While fundraising is always critical, the human capacity needed to create and run a successful Club is phenomenal. The stories from Club after Club are those of dedicated volunteers—individuals that give weeks, months, and years of their lives to bring community partners together, find space for a Club, fundraise, paint, fix, repair, and everything in-between.

It takes a village to raise a child. Unfortunately, there are fewer and fewer villages out there—even in big cities (and perhaps especially in big cities) families are increasingly isolated, the demands on their time and precious dollars many. So many people are increasingly focused on themselves, less willing to lend a hand, less able to offer support to someone else struggling to parent their child. There is little margin.

That is, until you walk in the doors of a Club. There, the village remains—welcoming and ready to raise the children of the community when families and other institutions cannot. Inside our Clubs, truly amazing staff tackle the effects of boredom and loneliness, bullying, poverty, hunger, homelessness, drug addiction, and more. And most importantly, they go out of their way to emphasize the positive for young people—the capacity to express oneself, to be motivated, to develop leadership potential, to achieve success. To be a kid, to dream, and to grow.

And when I say it takes a village, I also mean the incredible supporters that are absolutely crucial to our Clubs in 700 communities across the country. From caring corporations to donors to volunteers to our social media followers—each and every one of you in your own way help our Clubs help kids and teens and their families. We are grateful.

At this time of year, as we celebrate family, as we celebrate community and giving, thank you for being the village that’s needed in each child’s life.

To you and yours, please enjoy a warm, safe holiday season.

BGC Canada is proud to share WestJet’s Christmas Miracle video, WestJet’s 12 Flights of Christmas, which celebrates the joy of Christmas through the eyes of youth from BGC Canada. Share our Facebook and Twitter posts!

Over 12 days in November, WestJet released 12 Facebook live videos, featuring Blue Santa, Mrs. Claus, and celebrity guests bringing Christmas surprises to WestJet guests in 10 different cities  The final video reveals that these 12 miracles were dreamed up by children from BGC St. Alban’s Club. From a world made of gingerbread at the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to a life-sized snow globe at Toronto Pearson International Airport, WestJet made wishes come true at 12 events in cities across Canada.

A partner for 10 years, WestJet supports BGC by donating the gift of flight, which creates opportunities for youth and staff to travel to training, activities, and events. For their help with WestJet’s 12 Flights of Christmas, the airline donated $10,000 to BGC St. Alban’s Club in Toronto. Read the full press release here.

Please join us in thanking WestJet for their incredible support of BGC!

And read about the making of the #12FlightsOfChristmas video on WestJet’s blog!