Piggy Banks Beware...Canadian Tire Jumpstart is asking Canadians to donate their pennies to help kids 'get in the game'

Participating Canadian Tire stores across the country will collect pennies and make every cent count

TORONTO, Feb. 4, 2013 /CNW/ - Canadian Tire Retail and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities announced today that it will collect decommissioned pennies from customers. Money raised through the campaign will help financially disadvantaged kids in communities across Canada participate in organized sport and recreation by removing the financial barriers that prevent children from participating.

One hundred per cent of the revenue from Jumpstart donation boxes in stores stays in the community where it was donated. Since 2005, Canadian Tire Jumpstart has helped more than 500,000 children who would not be able to participate in sports because of financial barriers get involved in local activities. More than 2,400 community partners are part of the Jumpstart network and together help the one-in-three Canadian families that cannot afford to enrol their children in organized sports and recreation.

"We know there are many Canadians out there who are looking to free their wallets and empty their piggy banks of all their pennies. By donating pennies to Jumpstart, Canadians can feel better knowing their donation will help kids from their local community," said Johnny Misley, President, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. "We are asking Canadians to donate their pennies to make some real change and help kids get into the game."

As of February 4, 2013, the Government of Canada will eliminate the penny from Canada's coinage system and Jumpstart is encouraging Canadians to bring in their piggy banks and donate their pennies. Donations boxes are available in Canadian Tire stores across the country. The penny will retain its value, and retailers will continue to accept pennies, indefinitely. Customers can continue to pay with exact change at the cash or self check-outs. As recommended by the Government of Canada, Canadian Tire stores across the country will adopt the "fair" rounding approach. For cash transactions when proper change is unavailable, the amount owing after tax will be rounded to the nearest five cent increment. The new rounding approach will only apply to cash transactions. 

About Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is a national charitable program dedicated to providing financially disadvantaged kids with the opportunity to experience the benefits of organized sport and recreation. With an extensive national network of more than 315 local chapters, it provides families in communities across Canada with a hand-up to help cover the costs associated with registration, equipment and/or transportation.

Supported by the Canadian Tire Family of Companies, which includes Canadian Tire Retail, PartSource, Gas+, FGL Sports (Sport Chek and Atmosphere,), Mark's and Canadian Tire Financial Services, Jumpstart has enabled more than 500,000 Canadian kids to get in the game since 2005. For more information or to lend your support, visit Jumpstart.CanadianTire.ca.

SOURCE: CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION, LIMITED

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Julie Bellissimo
Canadian Tire
416.480.3180
[email protected]