Over $900,000 raised for Girl Guides of Canada through retail cookie sales at London Drugs Diamond Isinger, Girl Guides Canada (LEFT) and Clint Mahlman, London Drugs President and Chief Operating Officer (RIGHT). London Drugs presents cheque to Girl Guides Canada for cookies sold during the pandemic. Girl Guides Canada gave a cookie tin as thanks to London Drugs. The cookies are now sold out at most London Drugs stores. RICHMOND, B.C.- September 9, 2020 – Girl Guide cookie sales at Western Canadian retailer London Drugs have raised over $900,000 for the Girl Guides of Canada since March. After COVID-19 halted the Girl Guides’ largest fundraising campaign of the year, London Drugs opened up shelf space to safely distribute the cookies through all of its 82 stores across Western Canada and online at LondonDrugs.com. Over 180,000 boxes of cookies were sold, with 100 per cent of the funds raised from the sale of the cookies going back to the organization. The annual cookie sales campaign is the largest source of income for Girl Guides Canada, who rely on the funds to sustain their ongoing programs. Thanks to the generosity of London Drugs customers, proceeds from the sale of Girl Guide cookies will help provide diverse and exciting programs and activities for girls; and give them the chance to discover new interests, learn valuable leadership skills and make lasting friendships. “We are grateful to London Drugs for providing us with a safe distribution network to sell our cookies, which has helped raise critical funds to support Guiding activities locally and across the country,” said Diamond Isinger, provincial commissioner for BC, Girl Guides of Canada. “It’s a sweet ending to what had to be a non-traditional cookie sales campaign this year”. Traditionally, Girl Guides sell their cookies door-to-door, providing the opportunity to get out into their community and develop valuable skills, from teamwork and problem solving to responsibility. With physical distancing measures preventing door-to-door sales, this year was the first time Girl Guide cookies have been sold almost exclusively through retailers – a strategy that helped them sell 800,000 boxes of cookies that otherwise would have been difficult to distribute during the pandemic. “It is a special honour to have been a part of this year’s unique version of the annual Girl Guide cookie fundraising campaign, as many families across Canada, including my own, have had a connection to the Girl Guides at some point in our lives,” said Clint Mahlman, London Drugs President and Chief Operating Officer. The first shipment received by London Drugs was for 1000 cases containing 12,000 boxes of cookies in the Vancouver area. From there, London Drugs quickly expanded availability across Western Canada to all locations and made cookies available online, selling 180,000 boxes, totaling $905,540 raised for the Girl Guides of Canada. “At London Drugs, we take pride in being nimble adapting to change and providing support based on what is happening in the communities we serve,” adds Mahlman. “Being able to quickly offer assistance with the sale of Girl Guide cookies during the COVID-19 pandemic was the right thing to do. And because our customers enthusiastically supported the cause by purchasing boxes of cookies at London Drugs, Girl Guides of Canada now have financial support to help fund their programs for girls and young women in communities across Canada.” ABOUT GIRL GUIDES OF CANADA |
| Girl Guides of Canada–Guides du Canada (GGC) empowers every girl in Guiding to discover herself and be everything she wants to be. In Guiding, girls from 5-17 meet with girls their own age in a safe, inclusive space to explore what matters to them. With programming options ranging from innovative STEM activities to outdoor adventures and discussions on mental health and healthy relationships, girls in Guiding can customize their experience to dive into the topics relevant to them – all with the support of engaged Guiders who are committed to positively impacting their lives. Guiding is all about supporting girls as they take on challenges and grab hold of every opportunity that comes their way. Girl Guide cookies is the official fundraiser for Girl Guides across Canada. The money raised through cookie sales funds innovative and dynamic programs for girls. Over 6 million boxes of cookies are sold each year and Girl Guides have been selling cookies since 1927. For more information visit GirlGuides.ca and follow @girlguidesofcanada on Instagram or @girlguidesofcan on Twitter. |
Sweet ending for the annual Girl Guide cookie campaign after physical distancing measures cancelled door-to-door sales
Proudly Canadian Brand Stories – Bremner’s – Pure Juice That’s Good For a Whole Country
Terry Bremner, Founder of Bremner Foods, describes their company in typically understated Canadian style. “We’re just a company on the farm, trying to make the best product in the world,” he says. From their roots in the rich soils of Delta, BC, Bremner Foods is literally growing Canadian success from the ground up.
It all started with local land, and local berries.
Bremner’s is family owned, by 3rd generation blueberry and cranberry farmers. “My parents came to Delta in the 1950’s, and we’ve been doing various farming in the Delta area since then,” Bremner says. Two mainstays of their line are pure blueberry and cranberry juice. Both of these berries are native to North America and grow particularly well in BC. “On two sides of our property is Burns Bog,” Bremner continues, “It gives the berries a more intense flavour, being close to their native soil.”
Better juice for healthier Canadians
“Our goal is to make premium products that are healthy and nutritious,” says Bremner, “All the hard work and dedication is worth it when customers tell us that our juice is the best, or how our juice is helping with medical issues.” Berries are well known for their antioxidant content, especially blueberries. One jar of Bremner’s contains the pure juice of two-and-a-half pounds of blueberries, providing a natural Canadian health boost. Bremner puts it simply: “Your fuel that goes in you is your energy that comes out.” The Bremner team proves the point, participating in 50-kilometer races and other events, fueled by Bremner’s Juices.
Premium, clean, quality and workmanship – Canadian values straight from the farm.
“Canada is known for the best country, clean air and water, and quality products.” Bremner says. And these values are shared with their London Drugs partnership. “We have been in London Drugs for over 10 years. We really appreciate London Drugs being a Canadian company, and the Louie family’s long Canadian history.”
We’ll toast to that – with a tall cool glass of Bremner’s juice.
Shop for Bremner’s juice online at LondonDrugs.com.
Proudly Canadian Brand Stories – Hardbite Chips – Real Canadian People, Places and Flavour
“Honestly, our packaging is one of our most Canadian statements,” says Hardbite Marketing Manager Darlene McIntosh, “ It is with Canadian-made pride that we designed our packaging to profile Canadian destinations with nature-loving lifestyle imagery. On every bag we feature the Canadian flag, and a real place with real people.”
But what you see on the shelf is just the beginning. Hardbite Chips have Canadian qualities right to the bottom of the bag.
Independently owned, and proudly made right here in BC.
Hardbite Chips are made in Surrey, in British Columbia’s only potato chip manufacturing facility. There, chips are cooked in small batches, for the ultimate in crunch and taste. Company ownership is local, too. The people that run the company work in the same building as the people who run the spicing drums.
“Made in Canada is a badge of honour,” says McIntosh, “And as an independently owned Canadian company, we will continue to wave that flag proudly.”
Fun Chips, with Serious Canadian Values
Like the potatoes they use, the Hardbite philosophy is solidly rooted.
“When people choose to buy Canadian, that means they are choosing to support their community, grow the economy, and sustain a strong and fairly treated workforce,” says McIntosh, “Beyond that, buying Canadian also means peace of mind, as manufacturing is highly regulated, consumers can be assured products are safe.”
But the Hardbite team never likes to be too heavy. “We communicate with each other, we say what we mean and we don’t hold back,” says McIntosh, “Because snacking should be fun, people!”
Keep on Exploring, Keep on Snacking!
The Hardbite philosophy is inspired by Canada’s wide open spaces. It’s a sense of adventure that has led to the development of an amazing array of flavours, including such ‘out there’ varieties as Spicy Dill, Chipotle Raspberry Parsnip and a whole line cooked in avocado oil.
“We love exploring,” McIntosh continues, “Whether it’s going for a long walk in the woods or blasting down a muddy mountain trail on a bike, it’s all about celebrating nature. And what better way to celebrate an adventure than to scarf down a bag of all-natural chips that taste awesome.”
Bring it on!
Shop Hardbite products online here.
Proudly Canadian Brand Stories – Que Pasa Foods
Que Pasa Foods – Multicultural Chips Made in Canada the Authentic Mexican Way
“Canada is all about diversity, and so is Que Pasa!” says Arjan Stephens, President of Que Pasa Foods. “Last year we celebrated Que Pasa’s Mexican origins through our limited-edition Day of the Dead chips, and earlier this year launched a new flavour, Korean BBQ, as a way to pay homage to our country’s great Asian cultural influences.” This great Canadian Chip company has authentic roots and products that bring the fiesta to any backyard or kitchen event.
Born and raised in Vancouver, now part of the amazing Nature’s Path Foods family
Que Pasa started out as a street-front deli in Vancouver in 1983. Today, as part of the Nature’s Path Foods family, they remain family-owned, and continue a deep social and environmental commitment to organics and sustainability.
“We’re proud that no one makes tortilla chips the way that we do – our unique approach uses all organic and non-GMO ingredients and whole corn kernels that are ground between hand-cut Mexican volcanic lava millstones,” says Stephens, “.This is how it was done in Mexico centuries ago – you can’t get more authentic than that!”
Every chip makes a difference.
Being Proudly Canadian is more than just the red & white chips Que Pasa releases every Canada Day. It’s a commitment to craftsmanship, people and the land.
“When people buy Que Pasa products, they know they are supporting organic agriculture,” Stephens continues, “ And food artisans who put 1000% of their effort and energy into crafting the most delicious, organic, hand-crafted chips, salsas and tortillas.”
The Que Pasa manufacturing facility in Delta, BC, was the first production facility in Canada to be given a Zero Waste Certification from Green Business Certification Inc, and the company is eagerly working towards their next goal: being climate neutral by 2020.
Being Canadian is all in the family.
London Drugs and Que Pasa are both Canadian companies founded by families, and we share values that go beyond the shelf.
Like Arjan Stephens says, “London Drugs is another family-run business that leads with their hearts. We love working with the London Drugs team and how we’ve joined together to help ensure organic food is accessible to Canadians!”
You could say we go together like chips and salsa.
Shop Que Pasa products on our website here.
4 Ways to Bring Your Outdoor Space to Life
If planned right, a backyard or balcony space can be a personal oasis. By optimizing your outdoor space, you can greatly expand your living area during the summer months. Truly livable outdoor spaces share a few common elements. Follow these 4 simple ideas to transform your outdoor space into your personal dream garden.
1 – Entertaining area
To enjoy the outdoors, first and foremost you’ll need a place to sit. The joy of entertaining outdoors is you don’t always need a formal dining area or fancy dinnerware! A relaxed environment like this Collection Cosetta patio set is the perfect lounge set up for relaxing with a beverage and can double as a dining area for your next BBQ. If you’re looking for a dedicated dining space, this Collection metal foldable table set will allow you to have lots of room for all your guests to dine. In a tighter space, the Collection Bella folding bistro set is perfect for even the smallest of balconies. No matter the space, large or small, a seating area is the first step and we have a wide assortment to get your outdoor space comfortable.
2 – Outdoor kitchen
When enjoying the outdoors at home, you don’t want to trek to and from the kitchen. An outdoor kitchen doesn’t require a fancy built-in grill! It can be as simple as a dedicated surface to cook with a BBQ. The Kenmore pedestal 3 burner gril BBQ has everything you need, including two side tables for food prep. Another option is The Camp Chef XTG pellet grill which is a backyard powerhouse. It can slow smoke or grill any meal to perfection! While talking food, you’ll need to ensure you keep your beverages cold! We have some of the coolest coolers around. Like this unique van cooler. If you’re looking to save on space, this foosball cooler cart has a built in foosball table top, doubling as an entertainment centre that is sure to be a hit for all ages.
3 – Shade
Soaking in some rays is one thing that makes the summer special, however too much sun can be problematic. Making sure you have some shade is a great way to make the space livable at all times of day. The Collection aluminum pergola is a great option. Complete with two shades (one grey and one beige) it can be full shade, half shade or no shade depending on your needs. Also, its aluminum frame is sure to endure years of use. For something smaller a fiberglass windproof umbrella is a great option that is easy to move. For a more robust shade, the Bond offset umbrella is available in various colours and can cover your dining area with no obstructions or center pole. If you are working with a small balcony, this universal umbrealla for an outdoor chair is perfect as it will mount to any chair, and is also great for days at the beach.
4 – Ambience
Now that you have a sitting area, some shade, and a place to prepare your food, it’s time to add the final touches. Backyard ambience can be anything from décor to lighting. Solar lighting is a great way to add highlights to a large space without the trouble of connecting power. No matter your taste, we have a wide assortment of solar lighting options. Another final touch is to add some planters and garden décor.
From resin planters, to ceramic and even wood, there are a wide range of styles available to match any aesthetic. Add in some unique garden accessories like this Collection bird bath, and your personality is sure to come through. If on a balcony or in an urban area, a fountain like this unique Collection fountain with LED lights can help cut the background hum of the city streets and add a tranquil vibe. Lastly, a fire pit can turn relaxing evenings into a camping-like experience (but where you still get to sleep in your own bed!) Whether a table top, or stand alone unit, we have various options to fit any space.
No matter what you do to your outdoor space, we can help you transform it into an extension of your living area that can easily become your favourite place in the house. Shop our outdoor living collection today to have your dream back yard tomorrow.
Locally-made ShylaSpreadsHope Masks to support vulnerable childhood cancer patients in British Columbia becomes part of London Drugs’ Local Central program
June 4, 2020 – When we learned the story about the Tang family having to close their dry clean and tailoring business and a recent tragedy they faced, our family businesses entered into discussions with theirs about how London Drugs might be able to provide assistance. When the family’s small business Sew Clean had to close due to COVID-19, the Tang family switched to making masks with proceeds going to Childhood Cancer Family Support Society, an organization that greatly helped their five-year-old daughter prior to her tragic passing in December. Now, the family’s ShylaSpreadsHope masks will be available for purchase at six of our locations beginning Monday, June 8.
“When my daughter, Shyla, was going through her cancer treatment, Childhood Cancer Family Support (CCFS) was there for us emotionally and financially,” said Victoria Tang, ShylaSpreadsHope Masks. “After learning that their fundraising events were cancelled due to the pandemic, I wanted to help raise money for the non-profit organization. I began sewing fabric facemasks for people and raising funds. Since then I have created a team of local seamstresses to fulfil on production. ShylaSpreadsHope is a way to honor my daughter’s memory, by giving back to the community and spreading love and hope. In the midst of our darkest times, I know we can get through anything as long as we work together and continue to show kindness and compassion. I am so grateful to London Drugs for their willingness to support this cause, helping Shyla spread hope”.
The masks are currently in production with inventory to be made available at the following locations: Brentwood Mall in Burnaby, and in Vancouver at Broadway and Vine, Dunbar, Hastings and Abbott, Kerrisdale and Olympic Village. The masks are available in adult and children’s sizes in five colours at a cost of $12 with all proceeds going back to ShylaSpreadsHope. Three dollars from every $12 purchase will go to Childhood Cancer Family Support Society.
“All of us at London Drugs are particularly moved to be able to help the Tang family in their efforts to reignite their business as part of our Local Central program while supporting Childhood Cancer Family Support at the same time,” said Clint Mahlman, president and chief operating officer, London Drugs. “We are in the midst of a mask-wearing era and kudos to this family who have had much heartache and grief to be able to pivot to making masks when their business had to close.”
Customers can find the ShylaSpreadsHope masks in the six locations’ Local Central section. Local Central was launched in April in response to small businesses being severely impacted by COVID-19. The list of Local Central businesses being supported continues to grow and the current list can be found here: https://londondrugs.com/local-central.html
ABOUT ShylaSpreadsHope Masks
ShylaSpreadsHope is a fundraising and community-building initiative created in loving memory of Shyla Ann Tang, who courageously battled a rare form of childhood cancer for three years before passing away at the age of five. In honour of Shyla, we are giving back and fundraising for Childhood Cancer Family Support. This charity helps families who are struggling with the financial burden of taking care of their child with cancer or blood disorder by providing them with financial aid and community support. After closing the doors of our Dry cleaning and Alteration shop, my team and I are committed to making quality comfortable fabric face masks for the community. Each mask is made locally with TENCEL Lyocell fabric which is breathable, soft, lightweight and biodegradable. Each mask comes with a filter pocket and is washable / reusable. For every mask sold, $3 will be donated to Childhood Cancer Family Support Society.
Proudly Canadian Brand Stories – Nellie’s – Inspired by a Mom from the Prairies
Nellie’s – Inspired by a Mom from the Prairies
Nellie’s founder James Roberts gives credit for their success story where it’s due. “Nellie’s is named after my mom, who believed in keeping things simple – in a good way.” This is obvious in products like their iconic powdered laundry detergent. “The fact is, more cleaning power can be packed into powder,” Roberts continues, “Only one tablespoon is needed for a regular load of laundry.”
Made in Canada with Canadian Ingredients Nellie’s has been making their eco-friendly cleaning products based out of North Vancouver for over a decade, with high-quality biodegradable and hypo-allergenic ingredients.
“We don’t want to go elsewhere for materials unless we have to,” says Roberts, “For example, the soda ash used in our detergent is mined in Canada – it goes from the ground to processing, to the container in your home. That helps employ a lot of Canadians along the way.”
Nellie’s number one Canadian value: Common Sense. “When I grew up, there weren’t a dozen cleaners under the sink,” says Roberts, “We like to make products people really need. We also believe things can be made in Canada. Sometimes domestic ingredients may cost us a little more, but it makes sense to support local.”
Nellie’s also believes in another good Canadian value – honesty. Every ingredient in their products is listed on their website.
Nellie’s and London Drugs – a Canadian connection that goes way back. “London Drugs engaged with Nellie’s early on,” says Roberts, “They started by selling our Nellie’s Dryerballs over 10 years ago, and they have grown with us all the way since. That’s another Canadian prairie value. You support the people in your community.”
Shop Nellie’s line of cleaning products, for laundry, kitchen and bath here: https://www.londondrugs.com/nellies/
To find out more about our Proudly Canadian program, click here.
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