Retailer aims to #SpreadTheCheer by donating thousands of décor, lights and gifts to Canadian families over the holidays

TORONTO, Dec. 10, 2014 /CNW/ - Every year, thousands of Canadian children and their families find themselves spending the holiday season in the hospital, apart from their loved ones and the familiar comforts of home.  This Christmas, seeking to bring a bit of holiday magic to those who could use it, Canadian Tire embarked on a mission to #SpreadTheCheer, lighting up the holidays by donating indoor and outdoor décor, lights and more than 2,000 gifts to nine children's hospitals across Canada.  This morning, a video capturing the spirit of the national initiative was shared across social media.

In late November, teams of volunteers including hospital staff and local Canadian Tire employees were dispatched to deck the halls - placing 14 foot tall inflatable Santas, assembling Christmas trees, hanging thousands of ornaments, stringing 10,000 feet of light strands and delivering thousands of gifts.  In the spirit of the season, donated décor will be kept by each hospital, ensuring their continued use in years to come.

"Being in the hospital over the holidays is incredibly difficult on children and their families," said Susan O'Brien, Vice President of Marketing for Canadian Tire. "We wanted to do our part in spreading the spirit and joy of the Season and were thrilled with the results."

"We always try to keep patients' spirits up over the holidays, but limited resources can make it challenging to create a Christmas-like environment throughout," said Mr. Dana Erickson, Chief Operating Officer, Health Sciences Centre (HSC) Winnipeg. "When Canadian Tire reached out and offered to turn our outdoor space into a winter wonderland with lights and decorations, as well as decorations for the hospital we were delighted.  Being able to bring Christmas spirit to life means the world to our patients and their families, as well as our neighbourhood." 

In total, nine children's hospitals across the country were recipients of lights, décor and gifts; they include:

• St. John's: Janeway Children's Health and Rehabilitation Centre
• Halifax: IWK Health Centre
• Montreal: Montreal Children's Hospital
• Montreal: Centre de réadaptation Marie Enfant du CHU Sainte-Justine
• Ottawa: Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
• Toronto: The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
• Winnipeg: Children's Hospital - HSC Winnipeg
• Saskatoon: Pediatrics - Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan
• Vancouver: BC Children's Hospital

ABOUT CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION
Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited, (TSX:CTC.A) (TSX:CTC) or "CTC," is a family of businesses that includes a retail segment, a financial services division and CT REIT. Our retail business is led by Canadian Tire, which was founded in 1922 and provides Canadians with products for life in Canada across its Living, Playing, Fixing, Automotive and Seasonal categories. PartSource and Gas+ are key parts of the Canadian Tire network. The retail segment also includes Mark's, a leading source for casual and industrial wear, and FGL Sports (Sport Chek, Hockey Experts, Sports Experts, National Sports, Intersport, Pro Hockey Life and Atmosphere), which offers the best active wear brands. The nearly 1,700 retail and gasoline outlets are supported and strengthened by our Financial Services division and the tens of thousands of people employed across the Company. For more information, visit Corp.CanadianTire.ca.

YouTube Video Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7JH70f_F9U&noredirect=1

SOURCE CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION, LIMITED

Image with caption: "A volunteer from Canadian Tire helps a young patient decorate a Christmas tree at Centre de réadaptation Marie Enfant du CHU Sainte-Justine, in Montreal. (CNW Group/CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION, LIMITED)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141210_C6443_PHOTO_EN_9267.jpg

Image with caption: "A Winnipeg children's choir helps spread holiday cheer as the hospital celebrates Canadian Tire’s donation of Christmas décor. (CNW Group/CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION, LIMITED)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141210_C6443_PHOTO_EN_9269.jpg

Image with caption: "Holiday magic surrounds the Children’s Hospital-HSC Winnipeg as it transforms into a winter wonderland. (CNW Group/CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION, LIMITED)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141210_C6443_PHOTO_EN_9272.jpg