Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
Ten Thousand Villages will team up with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) organization to celebrate World Fair Trade Day with lots of in-store excitement this Saturday.
Although the store celebrates fair trade everyday, interim manager Joanne Hildebrand said that you can never remind people too much about a good cause.
“Everything we sell helps to benefit a family in a developing country,” Hildebrand said.
“This event is going to let us do good locally and further education opportunities.”
Members of the Brandon University WUSC student group will be helping around the store during the event to serve fair trade coffee and chocolate, as well as to inform customers on the different benefits of fair trade.
WUSC feels it is import to use the day as a chance to make people more aware of fair trade.
As part of World Fair Trade Day, customers can do their part for WUSC by showing a special “coupon” when they purchase any item at Ten Thousand Villages.
If they do, 15 per cent of the cash paid out for that item will be given to WUSC as a donation.
“All the money will go to the Student Refugee Program,” said Brandy Robertson, president of the staff and faculty WUSC group.
“We are very excited as this fall we can fund two refugees to come to school here.”
Robertson said WUSC is active at BU in two groups, between which she acts as a liaison.
Ten Thousand Villages has also planned a number of additional surprises for their shoppers, including a draw for a basket of food products.
Hildebrand said that even at smaller scale events, the store has seen an increase in traffic and they are excited for Saturday.
“Every little bit we can do helps, and this is will help to bring more awareness,” she said.
“We have had a regular connection with WUSC for the past five years.”
A highlight of the World Fair Trade Day event in Brandon will be a drum circle led by Merv Rollins.
Hildebrand and Robertson encourage people to come by between two and four to take part and play some of the different drums.
“This is the first year that we have celebrated World Fair Trade Day,” Robertson said.
“I am really excited to get a chance to keep educating people on the importance of fair trade.”
Robertson has been involved with WUSC for the past seven years and said that after learning more about the different programs she became really passionate about the cause.
“For the past likely 30 years Brandon University has been the host to one refugee each year,” Robertson said. “This will be the first year they have enough money to fund two.”
WUSC does not know yet where the refugees will be coming from. Robertson said in the past they often came from refugees camps in Kenya, originally from countries like Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia.
Hildebrand said that the store and staff are happy to be helping to provide funds to further the educational opportunities for these refugees.
Coupons to put a portion of purchases towards WUSC can be picked up at Ten Thousand Villages until closing on Friday.
They are also available from Robertson at 761-8551 or robertsonb@brandonu.ca.
» mlane@brandonsun.com
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition May 10, 2012
We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.
You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.
The Brandon Sun does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Ten Thousand Villages will team up with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) organization to celebrate World Fair Trade Day with lots of in-store excitement this Saturday.
Although the store celebrates fair trade everyday, interim manager Joanne Hildebrand said that you can never remind people too much about a good cause.
Already subscribed? Login to view full article.
Not yet a subscriber? Click Here to Signup
Ten Thousand Villages will team up with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) organization to celebrate World Fair Trade Day with lots of in-store excitement this Saturday.
Although the store celebrates fair trade everyday, interim manager Joanne Hildebrand said that you can never remind people too much about a good cause.
A subscription to the Brandon Sun Newspaper is required to view this article. Please update your user information if you are already a newspaper subscriber.
Most Popular
Sort by: Newest to Oldest | Oldest to Newest | Most Popular 0 Comments
You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.