Hockey Greats Team Up0

SAULT STE MARIE, ONTARIO, October 21, 2009 – Fifty Aboriginal children will today be the first to participate in a unique leadership camp, part of a five-year partnership announced between The Tim Horton Children’s Foundation and Ted Nolan Foundation.

The youths, some of whom have never left their native reserve, were selected from the Sault Ste. Marie First Nation to attend the five-day camp at the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation camp just north of Brantford. The Tim Horton Children’s Foundation has adapted its youth leadership program to cater specifically to Aboriginal youth.The children, aged 11-15, will learn leadership skills, teamwork and independence through various wilderness adventure activities, observe the solar system through one of Canada’s largest telescopes, and listen to Aboriginal leaders explain the Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers, which instructs them on how to treat others.

“I’m thrilled that these young kids are being given such a great opportunity,” said Nolan. “Our foundation aims to provide youth with educational and leadership opportunities they might not otherwise have, and the partnership with the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation allows us to accomplish all of these goals while providing these kids with an amazing experience.”

Nolan, a former NHL Coach of the Year and native of Sault Ste. Marie First Nation, is vice president of hockey operations for the AHL Rochester Americans. He established his charitable foundation in 2004 to promote healthy lifestyles among First Nations youth.

The partnership between the two foundations will see 50 First Nation youth from Sault Ste. Marie sponsored by the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation each year for the next four years.

“In 2009, almost 900 kids took part in our five-year youth leadership camp,” said Dave Newnham, vice-president of the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation. “Adapting our program to meet the specific needs of Aboriginal youth is a fantastic extension of this program. Ted Nolan brings a passion and respect within the Aboriginal community that will give this program tremendous credibility and will help ensure it makes a lasting difference in many young lives.”

The partnership will run the first event at the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation camp in St George, Ontario from October 22 through October 26. The Tim Hortons courtesy bus will depart from the John Rhodes Community Centre in Sault Ste Marie at 9 am on October 22.

The Ted Nolan Foundation is a registered charity that has been working since 2004 to establish leadership programs for First Nations youth. The Foundation combines the traditions, values and wisdom of the First Nations with the latest in training skills from corporate, educational, health, sports and recreation to encourage Aboriginal youth to pursue academic growth and foster healthy lifestyles.

The Tim Horton Children’s Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization committed to providing an enriched and memorable camp experience to economically disadvantaged children. Since 1975, more than 120,000 youth have attended one of six Foundation camps across North America. Through the Community Partnership Program, the Foundation partners with community agencies and groups that provide services, support, and opportunities to children from economically disadvantaged homes to welcome thousands of children to experience its first-class facilities and programs, free of charge. Tim Horton Onondaga Farms is situated in Brant County, Ontario. The site encompasses 400 acres of breathtaking wetlands, rolling hills, farmland and wood lots.