Stonewall Tim Hortons raises $1,028 for Special Olympics
Stonewall Tim Hortons, turned a sweet initiative into an extraordinary success for one local athlete.
Any Special Olympic donut purchased from Tim Hortons on Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, helped support Special Olympic athletes, like Kiefer Milbrandt. Milbrandt, a 13-year-old speedskater from Warren, is one of the many athletes across Manitoba who benefits from Special Olympic funding.
Milbrandt started speed skating with Special Olympics Manitoba in September 2024, and currently trains once a week at Sargent Park Arena in Winnipeg.
The year 2025 will be especially significant for him as he is set to compete in his first speed skating race on February 22 at Winnipeg Winterfest 2025. He will compete in the 111, 222, 333, and 500-metre races in hopes of winning a medal.
“I am looking forward to going as fast as I can,” he said.
Milbrandt first learned to skate with the Stony Mountain Skating Club when he was four and has always been bonded to the sport.
“I like to go fast,” said Milbrandt, who ultimately joined speed skating because of his great skating skills.
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Milbrandt had the privilege of helping decorate the unique Tim Hortons donut for their Special Olympics Donut campaign when he teamed up with Stonewall Tim Hortons crew members and decorated dozens of donuts to sell at the local restaurant.
Since 2016, Tim Hortons and Special Olympics Canada have partnered to create a limited-edition donut that is sold at Tim Hortons locations across Canada. All proceeds from the Donut are donated to Special Olympics Canada.
This year’s Special Olympics donut campaign saw an impressive sale of 514 chocolate cake donuts topped with white fondant and sprinkles raising $1,028. Stonewall Tim Hortons owner Jamie Pope noted that this fundraising effort nearly doubled their total from last year.
“These funds all go to Special Olympics Canada and help fund not just the big programs that most people think of when they think of Special Olympics, but also programs for younger people such as the FUNdamentals and Active Start programs that are part of the Special Olympics programming.”
Pope is extremely proud of her team members for their dedication to this fundraising campaign and extends her gratitude to them for decorating and selling over $1,000 Special Olympics donuts over the weekend.
“We give extra thanks this year to Kiefer and his mom, who joined us on Saturday to help decorate and sell this delicious donut. I’m sure Milbrandt’s help went a long way towards helping us almost double our sales this year!”
Across Canada, the Special Olympics donut campaign raised $1.3 million, marking a record-breaking year for the initiative.
Thanks to funding from Special Olympics Canada, Milbrandt can participate in all Special Olympics activities for free. It is the fundraising efforts of many Canadians that allow Milbrandt and fellow Special Olympic athletes to engage in various sports without any fees.
“A big thank you too all who supported us through this by buying a donut,” said Pope.
You can show your support for athletes like Milbrandt at any time by donating online at www.specialolympics.mb.ca.
