Each February, two stores in Kamloops B.C. (1441 Hillside Dr. and 944 8th St.) are covered in paper hearts as the community rallies together to face an issue impacting hundreds of thousands of Canadians every year. Each paper heart represents a $2 donation made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada.
Justin Mondor started the fundraiser back in 2007 when he was a Store Manager in Salmon Arm, B.C. When he became the General Manager in Kamloops, he brought the initiative with him, thanks to the support of Dealer Jack Juusola. Since 2012, the stores have been hosting the Heart & Stroke fundraiser, averaging $5,000 in donations each February. This year, Justin and his team broke a new record and raised over $10,000 between the two stores. As a result, more than $55,000 has been donated to the Heart & Stroke Foundation to date.
In addition to the paper heart campaign, the store’s staff come together to ride “The Big Bike” — a large, multi-person bicycle made for 30 riders. Together, the team takes a victory lap in the community to celebrate and bring attention to the Heart & Stroke Foundation’s work.
Mondor and his team believe this campaign helps encourage greater awareness of the signs and symptoms associated with heart disease and stroke — an effort he hopes will help save lives.
“For Jack and I and the Canadian Tire team, giving back to our community has always been top-of-mind,” says Mondor.
If you would like to learn more about the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, visit their website at www.heartandstroke.ca.