White Spot's Pirate Pak Day raises $105,748 of loot for charity

Annual fundraiser has generated $555,748 since 2008
to support B.C. kids with disabilities

VANCOUVER, Aug. 11, 2016 /CNW/ - Arrr mateys! On Wednesday, August 10, White Spot guests across B.C. and Alberta raised a record $105,748 for White Spot's seventh consecutive Pirate Pak Day fundraiser. For one special day each year, both the young and young-at-heart can purchase the iconic boat from Canada's longest-running restaurant chain. Bounty raised this year will help send 70 children and young adults to Zajac Ranch in Mission, B.C.

White Spot donated $2.00 from each Kids and Adult Pirate Pak sold to Zajac Ranch, a B.C. charity that gives children and young adults with life-threatening illnesses and chronic disabilities an unforgettable camp experience.

Since the program's inception, White Spot has raised a total of $555,748, providing hundreds of young mateys with a summer camp experience. This year's event saw a record number of 52,874 Pirate Paks sold, with the location at 19651 Fraser Hwy in Langley selling the most iconic boats, at nearly 3,000. White Spot staff and enthusiastic guests dressed up as modern day swashbucklers for a good cause, and photos are available on the White Spot Facebook page or by searching #whitespot #PiratePakDay on Twitter & Instagram.

"It's amazing to see the momentum of Pirate Pak Day build year after year," said White Spot president Warren Erhart. "Our staff members have a great time getting dressed up in pirate regalia for a good cause, and we enjoy some friendly competition between restaurants to see who can serve the most Pirate Paks. I'd like to extend a warm thank-you to all our guests who came out to show their support."

Here are just a few of the many enthusiastic #PiratePakDay tweets from White Spot guests:

• Happy #PiratePakDay courtesyof @White_Spot, benefitting @Zajac Ranch!  Wish it was every day!
• ARRR Mateys, it's time to dig into this here burger!  Feeling like a kid again on #PiratePakDay!  Thanks @White_Spot!
• Boss said if we dress up as pirates, she'd buy us all lunch.  It's @White_Spot #PiratePakDay.  Support the cause!

"White Spot continues to provide much-needed financial support to the children and young adults who visit our summer camp," said Mel Zajac, founder of the Zajac Ranch for Children. "Just as our camp provides an unforgettable experience to these youngsters, so many British Columbians have fond memories of Pirate Paks growing up. Hats off to White Spot for organizing another successful fundraiser!"

White Spot will be sending kids to Zajac Ranch for "White Spot Week" from August 15 to 19, where campers can participate in a variety of activities such as horseback riding, kayaking, water sports and arts and crafts.

About White Spot

Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, White Spot is Canada's longest-running restaurant chain, celebrating their 88^th year. Founded in 1928, when Nat Bailey launched Canada's first drive-in restaurant at Granville and 67^th, the 88-year-young chain now sees more than 17 million guests annually at 130 White Spot and Triple O's locations throughout B.C., Alberta and Asia. Bailey's original vision was to build a restaurant that served the highest quality, unique tasting food and White Spot remains committed to continuing this tradition in each and every meal. White Spot Limited is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies for the past six consecutive years.

SOURCE White Spot

Media contacts: Kristen Learned, FleishmanHillard Canada, [email protected], 604-688-2505; Cathy Tostenson, Vice President, Marketing & Menu Development, White Spot Restaurants, [email protected], 604-321-6631