Mentors and role models are crucial to our kids’ development. I am lucky that my kids are growing up in a community where they are influenced and guided by their elders, and are learning to mentor younger kids themselves. The pride in the face of a grade three student when he receives his kindergarten ‘buddy’ to mentor melts me every time.

Over the summer, the school took part in a reading program at the local library, and having the most kids who read daily won the school a trophy! The ceremony included the mayor, elders of the library and the teachers who have carefully guided the kids. This community wants kids to be all they can be, and sets them up with opportunities for bright futures. Not all kids are that fortunate, however. In addition to their medals (worn daily with pride), I could think of no better way to reward each of my kids than by giving them a second honour. My sons joined me at Boston Pizza the following day for lunch and were gifted a new ‘Kids Card’.
The Kids Cards program raises funds for Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects to provide kids with access to mentors and role models. Organizations that are supported include Big Brothers Big Sisters, JDRF, Kids Help Phone, Live Different and the Rick Hansen Foundation to mentor kids and help them reach their full potential. The cards are available at any Boston Pizza location or online at BostonPizza.com. To get one, you donate a minimum of $5, which will get you FIVE free Kids Meals for your family to enjoy.

I donated $20 for each card in the kids’ names – the charitable component made them even more proud. When I registered the cards online with MyBP, I was also able to take advantage of another special treat – registering them gives us SIX instead of five meals! And now, we are grabbing the calendar to plan 6 ‘Mommy Dates’ to Boston Pizza. It is among their favourite restaurants, not only because of ‘Bugs and Cheese’ and sprinkles on the sundaes!

I invite our readers to join us in helping these crucial organizations by donating to the Boston Pizza Foundation through the purchase of a Kids Card. It’s never too early to teach our little ones about philanthropy, and to do it while spending time sharing incredible food is a bonus!