Tim Hortons Choose To Include donut raises nearly $600,000 - a record high for a fundraising donut in support of Special Olympics Canada

• Tim Hortons restaurants across Canada were selling the limited-edition Choose To Include donut between Jan. 28 and Jan. 30, with 100 per cent of the proceeds being donated directly to Special Olympics Canada.
• The partnership was designed to raise both funds and awareness to help empower Special Olympics Canada's 41,000+ athletes reach their full potential ? in sport and in life.
• Individuals with an intellectual disability have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. For Special Olympics athletes, being away from their in-person programs has meant being away from their friends, their healthy activities and their network of support. Every Choose To Include donut sold helps Special Olympics athletes return to the playing field.

TORONTO, Feb. 4, 2022 /CNW/ - Tim Hortons is proud to announce that nearly $600,000 was raised through the Choose To Include donut, setting a new record for a Tim Hortons fundraiser in support of Special Olympics Canada.

The Choose To Include donut was launched with a goal of raising funds to help expand the quality, opportunity and accessibility of Special Olympics' daily community sport programs to Canadians with an intellectual disability. During the campaign, 100 per cent of the proceeds from each Choose To Include donut sold was donated to Special Olympics Canada.

"We're so proud of how Canadians rallied with us to support Special Olympics Canada," said Hope Bagozzi, Chief Marketing Officer of Tim Hortons. "Our last fundraising donut in support of Special Olympics Canada raised $150,000 ? so it's incredible for us to have raised nearly $600,000 with this campaign."

Special Olympics Canada is part of an international movement dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability through sport. Their vision is that sport can open hearts and minds towards people with intellectual disabilities to create inclusive communities all across Canada. There are more than 41,000 Special Olympics athletes across the country.

"The Choose To Include Donut campaign has been a resounding success," said Sharon Bollenbach, CEO of Special Olympics Canada. "We're very grateful for our partnership with Tim Hortons and thrilled to have seen so many Canadians come together to purchase a donut and take part in our movement - truly demonstrating their support for Special Olympics athletes and the power of inclusion."

Tim Hortons has been a proud sponsor of Special Olympics Canada since 2016. In addition to creating the Choose To Include fundraising donut, they are also the lead corporate sponsor of Special Olympics Canada's youth programs: Active Start, for two- to six-year-olds, and FUNdamentals, for seven- to 12-year-olds.

About Tim Hortons
In 1964, the first Tim Hortons® restaurant in Hamilton, Ontario opened its doors and Canadians have been ordering Tim Hortons iconic Original Blend coffee, Double-Doubletm coffees, Donuts and Timbits® in the years since. Over the last 55 years, Tim Hortons has captured the hearts and taste buds of Canadians and has become synonymous with serving Canada's favourite coffee. Tim Hortons is Canada's largest restaurant chain operating in the quick service industry with more than 4,000 restaurants across the country. More than a coffee and bake shop, Tim Hortons is part of the Canadian fabric and guests can enjoy hot and cold specialty beverages ? including lattes, cappuccinos and espressos, teas and our famous Iced Capps® ? alongside delicious breakfast, sandwiches, wraps, soups and more. Tim Hortons has more than 5,000 restaurants in Canada, the United States and around the world. For more information on Tim Hortons visit TimHortons.ca

About Special Olympics Canada
The Canadian chapter of this international movement is dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability through the transformative power and joy of sport. Operating out of sport clubs in 12 Provincial and Territorial Chapters, this grassroots movement reaches beyond the sphere of sport to empower individuals, change attitudes and build communities. From two-year-olds to mature adults, more than 41,000 athletes with an intellectual disability are registered in Special Olympics year-round programs across Canada. They are supported by more than 17,500 volunteers, including more than 12,000 trained coaches. For more information, visit www.specialolympics.ca or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @SpecialOCanada.

SOURCE Tim Hortons