It has been another record-breaking year for Staples Canada’s annual Give A Toonie. Share A Dream. campaign in support of Special Olympics athletes across Canada.

Staples raised $629,000 across the country, and stores in B.C. (along with one Yukon store) raised $114,705.

Staples store #130 in Campbell River ranked first in their District and Western Region, and an impressive second nationally for funds raised with $8,005.

During the campaign, which ran from May 3 to 25, Staples staff across Canada invited customers to donate at the till to help make dreams happen. This year Staples also introduced a new online donation option, making it even easier for customers to support Special Olympics. Special Olympics BC athletes and volunteers spent time in stores around the province to help the campaign and raise awareness.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Staples Canada staff and customers, and to all the athletes and volunteers across the province who gave their time and energy to this significant campaign.

Other top fundraisers in B.C. were Store #93 in Langley with $ 7,905 raised, making them first in their district, second in the Western Region, and fourth in Canada; store #126 in Kelowna with $7,765, ranking them second in their district, third in the region, and fifth in Canada; and store #56 in North Vancouver with $7,340, ranking them first in their district, fourth in the region, and sixth in Canada.

At the Campbell River Staples, a little friendly competition during the campaign proved to be a great motivator as staff, athletes, volunteers, and customers strived to keep their local ranking. As well, the community was fueled by enthusiasm when the store achieved a number-one ranking in the country for part of the campaign.

“By getting all excited, people were donating up to the very end when usually in the last week it dies off,” said Sandy Herbert, a Staples Supervisor who coordinated the campaign. “People wanted to keep helping out because they knew we could still be number one.”

While athletes were scheduled to come into the store only at certain times during the week, they started showing up frequently to give their support, asking “Are we still number one?”

Herbert said that along with the goal of raising money, customers, athletes, and staff stayed engaged throughout the campaign because of all the in-store events, such as bake sales every day, a pizza sale with pizza donated by a local restaurant, and hotdog sales.

The store also staged a hugely successful raffle, selling 14 buckets of tickets. Herbert’s daughter Tasia solicited gift coupons for prizes from more than a dozen businesses.

“We couldn’t have done it without the generosity of the town and the local businesses,” Sandy Herbert said of their highly successful fundraising campaign.

Along with the fundraising component, the campaign is also an opportunity for Staples staff and customers to visit with hometown athletes. In many communities, they know these athletes personally.

“We got so excited about the athletes coming in because they know us and we know them,” Herbert said. “They come in year after year.”

While in past years the Special Olympics athletes stood by the till in the Campbell River Staples, this year they greeted customers in the front foyer during the campaign.

“We made them a part of our staff for three weeks,” Herbert said.

At Staples in Kamloops, one of the managers braved a “lift sit” for several hours, raising $700 through this event alone. They also played Special Olympics videos on computer screens throughout the store to catch customer’s attention and raise the profile of the campaign.

The staff at Staples in Terrace held a friendly competition for who could raise the most funds individually, with stickers on a big poster indicating who was leading the way. They raised $566 more than last year.

This was the 15th year for this significant fundraising campaign, giving a big boost to Special Olympics programs across Canada to help athletes realize their dreams and achieve their full potential.

"Throughout the 18-year partnership, our Associates across the country passionately got behind the cause and truly became champions of the movement," said Steve Matyas, President, Staples Canada. "Our store teams are excited to be making a huge difference in the lives of Canadians living with intellectual disabilities, and it means a great deal to be a part of such an inspiring and important program that opens up so many new opportunities for these athletes."

Be sure to stay tuned for the annual Staples/Special Olympics BC softball tournament at the Riverway Sports Complex in Burnaby on June 28, which brings together Staples associates and managers, and Special Olympics athletes for good times and friendship. The day is a fun followup to the annual campaign, and raises further funds for Special Olympics through a raffle.

Check out this Staples blog post about businesses giving back by SOBC Chair Pamela Keith