Co-op Atlantic and its member Co-op stores are involved in supporting and developing community-based programs across Atlantic Canada. These are some of the organizations we are working with to make life better for Atlantic Canadians: Take 30 for the Family! Prince Edward Island has 4423 families with children under 6. Many of those families are Co-op members – and they all benefit from having the best family lives possible. The Co-op stores on Prince Edward Island have joined the province in launching Take 30 for the Family. This program will help equip parents and other caregivers of children 0 to 8 years old with the information and tools they need to succeed in spending more quality time playing and learning together while maintaining a positive work/life balance. Island families will be engaged through advertisements, events and more over 2008 and 2009. Our participation in this exciting initiative reflects the Co-op values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others. Find out more about this program www.take30.pe.ca Gold sponsor – 2008 Acadian Games Atlantic Canada’s Co-op stores are proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the 2008 Acadian Games, being held in Halifax from June 27 to July 1. The Co-op system has long been a supporter of this celebration of friendly competition and healthy living for young Acadians in the region, and is pleased to help this exciting event as it is held for the first time in Nova Scotia. Find out more at http://www.jeux2008halifax.ca/   2009 World Acadian Congress Co-op Atlantic and Co-op stores from Atlantic Canada are proud to be platinum sponsors of the World Acadian Congress. This huge gathering of Acadians from all over the world will take place August 7 to 23, 2009 in the Acadian Peninsula, in northeastern New Brunswick. It is a unique occasion for everyone of Acadian ancestry, or that has a passion for Acadian culture, to come together and celebrate this one-of-a-kind history and culture in North America. It will also be an opportunity for the people of the Acadian Peninsula to showcase their beautiful region and friendly culture to the rest of the world, and the perfect opportunity to meet with cousins from far away. One of the biggest strengths of co-operatives is their focus on community – a reflection of the fact that co-ops are businesses created by the members of a community to meet their own needs. The 2009 World Acadian Congress will unite many and will be a celebration of this community spirit made real. The Co-op stores of the Acadian Peninsula are already playing a lead role in making the 2009 World Acadian Congress a success – they will be at the front and center of this exciting event. You should join them! To find out more about the 2009 World Acadian Congress, visit their web site at www.cma2009.ca.   Feed The Need Recognizing that community food banks need help all year long, Co-op Basics stores across Atlantic Canada created the "Feed the Need" program. This program helps stock the shelves of community food banks across the region with thousands of dollars worth of food throughout the year.   How You Can Help To participate in the program, Co-op Basics members and customers need only bring non-perishable food items to the store or donate something from their shopping baskets at the check-out. The food will then be donated by Co-op Basics on behalf of members to a food bank in the community. Feed the Need donation boxes are placed at the exits of all participating Co-op Basics stores. Huntington’s Disease Since 1999 Co-op & Co-op CCC stores have raised nearly $140,000 towards finding a cure for Huntington’s and for services to help families coping with this devastating disease. Due to recent breakthroughs in research, there is a powerful optimism that we are on the cusp of a treatment or cure for Huntington’s disease. You can help raise funds for Huntington’s this Christmas by purchasing a glass ball ornament at your Co-op. One dollar from every purchase will be donated to Huntington’s. GIF…T Atlantic What is GIF…T Atlantic. GIF…T stands for - Grocery Industry Foundation…Together. It is a foundation of all Atlantic Canadian grocery retailers, manufacturers and brokers in the food industry who have joined forces to achieve one common goal - to help emotionally and physically challenged children in the Atlantic region. Co-op Atlantic employees, John Harvie, CEO and Yvonne Moore, Retail Food Merchandising are on the board of GIFT Atlantic. Since the inauguration of GIFT Atlantic in 1998, more than $3,000,000 has been raised for registered charities that aid physically or emotionally challenged children, including the IWK Health Centre and Janeway Children’s Hospital Foundation. Co-op Fundraisers $57,850 Raised Co-op stores in the Maritime Provinces have been raising funds for the IWK Health Centre for the past 18 years. During this year’s telethon held on June 4 and 5, Co-op donated $57,850 to the Health Centre and in our 18 year history approximately $1,418,569. This tremendous feat would not be possible without you - our valued members, customers and boards. Thank you from the children of the Maritime Provinces. $16,842 Raised Co-op stores in Newfoundland and Labrador have been raising funds for the Janeway Children’s Hospital for the past 18 years. During this year’s telethon we donated $16,842 to Janeway and in our 18 year history we have donated approximately $830,000. This tremendous feat would not be possible without you - our valued members, customers and boards. Thank you from the children of Newfoundland and Labrador. Enfant Soleil Co-op stores in the Magdalen Islands have been raising funds for the Enfant Soleil group of hospitals for the past 12 years. We are proud of our affiliation and continue each year to support these children’s hospitals. How Do We Raise Money? Co-op stores raise funds through the following activities - selling Miracle Balloons, casual day Fridays, BBQs, car washes, etc. This year our advertised, "May is Miracle Month” campaign was another huge success, we sold more Miracle Balloons than ever before. Thank you to everyone who purchased a balloon to help a child in need.