Tim Hortons’ coffee and Langworthy in a dunk tank were all part of the annual Tim Hortons Camp Day, a special event that invites communities to rally around a common cause. Several locations – including Tim Hortons’ Jamestown location – have taken their fundraising initiatives to new levels by incorporating law enforcement, elected officials and school representatives like Langworthy.

“Jamestown Police Officer Emma Ward participated in our fundraiser alongside her K-9 comfort dog, Hope, and Jamestown City Mayor Kim Ecklund, who assisted at our drive-thru window,” said Blake Tarana, the franchise owner of several local Tim Hortons locations.

Tarana said that a dunk tank was set up at his Brooklyn Square location to support the fundraising efforts of the day.

“JHS (Jamestown High School) Principal Tom Langworthy visited us,” said Tarana. “Although corporate policy mandates that we donate our coffee sales to the camp, we strive to exceed expectations because we genuinely believe in this cause. Every child should have the chance to experience the joy of camping.”

Mayor Bill Aiello of Olean and a Tim Hortons employee sold coffee on Wednesday to support the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps, which send low-income and “at-risk” children to summer camp. Submitted photo

Erin Tarana, wife of Blake Tarana and a human resources specialist for the local Tim Hortons locations, remarked, “Tom’s time in the dunk tank drew a large crowd, including current students, alumni, and football players. It was wonderful to see so many people come out to support our cause.”

According to the Tim Hortons Southern Tier Facebook page, notable attendees included Mayor Bill Aiello of Olean, Mayor Kim Ecklund of Jamestown, the St. Bonaventure Women’s Basketball team, Allegany Town Supervisor Chris McPherson, Town Clerk Grace, as well as various police, school, and government officials.

Tim Hortons’ Camp Day is an annual event dedicated to raising funds specifically to send local children to a Tim Hortons Foundation Camp. Proceeds from both hot and iced coffee sales are directed toward supporting these children.

Since 1974, the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps have positively impacted the lives of over 325,000 young people by providing camp experiences that enhance social and emotional skills. While participants may recall canoeing and campfires, the foundational focus is on the future. The foundation aims to equip youth with the skills and opportunities necessary to thrive, pursue their education, secure meaningful employment, enrich their communities, and lead fulfilling lives – timscamps.com.

To be eligible for camp, a potential camper must be 11 or 12 years old as of December 31 of the year before attendance (turning 12 or 13 during the camp year) and come from a low-income household as defined by Statistics Canada or the U.S. Census Bureau. The camper should be able to participate in a group setting without needing ongoing one-on-one healthcare or emotional support. Finally, a referral from a community-based organization or a Tim Hortons restaurant owner is required..

Jamestown City Mayor Kim Ecklund and a Tim Hortons employee served coffee at the Brooklyn Square location to raise funds for the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps, which provide free summer camp experiences for “at-risk” or “low-income” children. Submitted photo

“Last year, I believe we sent seven local kids to a Tim Horton’s camp in Ontario,” said Blake Tarana

For more information on the Tim Hortons’ Foundation Camps, visit timscamps.com or call 519-448-1248 (Canada).