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written by dhood , October 01, 2008 (08:43:54 AM)

I can't help myself! With all the crying about the childrens' health issues I find "cookies for Northern Health" a bit redundant.

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written by StraightUP , October 01, 2008 (10:54:29 AM)

Well why give private school kids free cookies when you can just donate the same amount of 'cash for cookies' to the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation directly?

I guess it helps to get the free publicity.

More than 85 per cent of private schools in B.C. are already partially funded by the provincial government-receiving between 35 and 50 per cent per cent of the public school per-pupil grant, depending on the category of the school.

Hmh. Encourage "other business owners in the community to consider buying the $1 cookies for their child's school"?

I sense the hand of government intervention coming along.
But only if its a public school and not private.

Since a higher percentage of schools in British Columbia than in other province are dependent on private fundraising initiatives, I ask you this: who then cares if someone chooses to go on a tier then with other popular name popular franchises along with their efforts at sustainability and everything else?

So now kids at these schools know Timmy's and a Dodge dealership more than they know say other franchises like Second cup (Canadian owned) or I dont know: pick a car dealer.

And also probably less about our countrys efforts to lift other countries out of the muck and mire of poverty. In case you didnt know, Canadas percentage of contributions for foreign aid as portion of gross national income has been DECLINING.

No free cookies and free publicity though for those ones. Hardly any fan fare deserved.

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written by Reality , October 01, 2008 (11:00:44 AM)

Good grief - so they bought cookies and gave them to a couple of schools. Let's bash them now. You know, it seems as though no one can do anything right for some people.

Second Cup
written by Reality , October 01, 2008 (11:02:50 AM)

Well, I haven't heard anything about second cup making themselves known to school kids.

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written by dhood , October 01, 2008 (11:17:44 AM)

A little cup-o-java to go with their cookies should do the trick. Caffeine and sugar!! Have fun parents and teachers! Whatever happened to "bake sales"? Parents can't bake cookies anymore? GOOD GRIEF!!

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written by StraightUP , October 01, 2008 (11:22:28 AM)

I know exactly what you mean but are pupils not there to learn?

The exposure is now there : kids know more about Tims and local name brand dealer than the position of Canada and its lessening contributions to the world.

Or how about some public schools hooking up with Starbucks then so kids in 3 world countries can actually go to school instead of staying home so that Mom and Dad dont bust their backs picking beans for a living? Can you do that for public schools if you want?

So imagine exclusive marketing arrangements with Coke and Pepsi and contrast that with news "reports" (subjugated reports) that Coke is tapping much needed water supplies in India to supply its Coke plants.

All I am saying it opens up the quandary. What next? Public schools saying buy my Starbucks muffins and others saying buy my Timmys cookies?

I think it has the innate potential to affect the curriculum. Social Justice courses in at least one high school in Abbotsford are facing the axe. And they are pointing to the gay bashing incident in Vancouver as proof required as to why its needed.

Ya,,,
written by Vogel , October 01, 2008 (11:22:42 AM)

fat private school kids need lovin too,,,(oh boy this is gonna be deled i bet).

Where did the story come from?
written by tombstone81 , October 01, 2008 (11:23:18 AM)

You knew you would take some flack for those comments, StraightUp, but I don't completely discount what you are saying. The only real question here in my mind (and perhaps Bernice Trick can shed some light) is did the Marshalls donate the cookies privately and anonymously...and the schools felt so delighted that THEY ran to the press to spread the good word? If so, kudos to the Marshalls for yet another charitable act (they have a long history of that) and nice of the school to acknowledge the good deed.

On the other hand, did Northland donate the cookies and then send out a joint press release with Tim Hortons mentioning the random(?) act of kindness? If so, bad form. Remember this is the dealership that not long ago was running a radio ad campaign boasting that it was the "only dealership in northern BC to have given over a million dollars to charity"...as though we would be inclined to buy more Dodge Rams and Calibers if we knew that the owner was a philanthropist.

I guess everyone gives for their own reasons. Regardless of any ulterior motive that may exist for publicity, it's hard to argue that the Marshalls have written a lot of cheques to worthy causes in PG.

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written by dhood , October 01, 2008 (11:33:56 AM)

Did Northland forget that the city bought all their new vehicles from a dealer in Quesnel already? That's a good lesson for someone. Things are cheaper in Quesnel. Don't they have Starbucks in third world countries? Help I'm lost!

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written by dhood , October 01, 2008 (11:35:55 AM)

Too much coffee!!

Y a know,,,
written by Vogel , October 01, 2008 (11:38:10 AM)

if you were in a third world country you could get an operating system for your computer for 3 bucks.

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written by StraightUP , October 01, 2008 (11:58:07 AM)

I just like to ask questions. Because I know there are some very strict rules when it comes to something like even promoting corporate green awareness if hooked up with a corporation like that even to flog a scholarship award or promote an essay contest if you have your corporate logo.

I mean you just cant show up at a University and announce that youre working in conjunction with a major bank and will give 100 grand to the best student essay on environmental sustainability. Its just not done.

A million dollars is a lot of money. My mind catches phrases like "funds from the purchase of the cookies."


Hmh. But relying on private funding for schools is up more than any other Province? Is the public losing control of its public schools?

And yes Starbucks does some things to help out farmers. Second Cup helps with impoverished countries that produce coffee.

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written by Reality , October 01, 2008 (01:03:53 PM)

Ok, so my question is, when the Spirit of the North Radiothon was taking place, various business owners / operators would phone in pledges and challenge others in the same industry to meet or beat the amount. I'm just curious what the difference is here? Still sounds like a way to get their advertising out there. This one just happens to involve cookies and kids.

so what....
written by crushie , October 01, 2008 (11:54:19 PM)

I've bought at least 2 of those silly cookies everyday now for the last 4 or 5 days...... you don't see anyone writing a story about me do u - just plain silly

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written by dhood , October 02, 2008 (09:28:40 AM)

Crushie-So that is 8 or 10 cookies now. Just two more and you can have your story! Oh yeah! Thanks for the donations!

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written by dhood , October 02, 2008 (09:32:16 AM)

Why do I always have out start with a defecit (-1)?
"COME ON PEOPLE" !! BILL COSBY'S BOOK.

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written by travhops , October 02, 2008 (10:00:17 AM)

A cookie shouldn't hurt a kid, there's not that much sugar in it compared to a bottle of pop. Sure it's advertising for them but also an offer of help. People can be so cynical. Of course schools still have bake sales, school carnivals, etc. Look what Cedars school is doing Friday.

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written by dhood , October 03, 2008 (08:40:41 AM)

Just what is good for you in a cookie? Flour-carbs, Sugar-carbs, egg? Choc? baking soda? salt? Oh I forgot! It must be all that lard and hard butter-what do they call that again? Cholestrol? That won't hurt a kid till he's what-25 or 30?

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written by ccurle01 , October 03, 2008 (09:21:20 AM)

OMG!!!!! People, it is a cookie that is helping raise money for our community and you have to tear a good deed apart like no tomorrow. Yes I understand that over weight children is a growing concern, but even the healthiest of adults have to give into indulgence every now and than.

ONE COOOKIE IS NOT GOING TO KILL THEM!!!! Take a breath and relax.

Relax,,,
written by Vogel , October 03, 2008 (11:35:46 AM)

ok,,,i'm relaxed, now here's a little rock for you, just put it the pipe and smoke it,,,come on, one little rocks not going to kill you,,,and the first ones always free,,,

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written by dhood , October 03, 2008 (11:52:42 AM)

OK! So one cookie won't kill you but one always leads to another and once your hooked you'll want rocks, I mean lots.

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written by ccurle01 , October 03, 2008 (02:11:27 PM)

dhood and Vogel, the two of your are absolutely impossible to even try to get a point across. The two of you cannot honestly sit there and tell me that you do now allow your children to have a cookie, a small piece of candy, or a bag of chips every now and than. If you do, than the two of your are hipocrits and she practice what you preach. If you are monitoring what kinds of food and how much your children are eating and practicing a healthy workout routine on a daily basis it will not hurt the children. If these children are overweight, it is the parents fault for not introducing them to a healthy life style. I have a few neieces that are around 5 years old, they know the difference between good food and bad food and that you have to watch how much you eat. Now if a five year old girl can make that decison ON HER OWN, they way can't any other child in school?

Oh boy,
written by Vogel , October 03, 2008 (02:30:56 PM)

does somebody have a fat cookie craving, awe dont worry just waddle your big butt down to Timmy Ho's and belly up then you can wrap you chubby lttle finger around one.
(definitely going to get deled on this one.

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written by StraightUP , October 07, 2008 (09:02:13 AM)

Even if the government culminated a long onslaught against high fat foods and obesity; culminating with a ban on junk food in the schools, I do think it is in bad taste to be cynical about any drive or effort to help the STNHF.

And yet the controversy seems to subsist on its own.

With minimal research you can discover a mild brouhaha brewing right now over paid Olympic sponsors fighting against the inclusion of charity supporters who happen to be, you guess it: auto manufacturers.

One hand brand name import manufacturer wants to donate to help kids play sports and donate hugely, and brand name auto manufacturer here at home says: we bought with millions the right to represent and be the OFFICIAL Oly sponsor, and subsequently object to even any mention of some other auto manufacturer supporting kids sports during the Oly's.

So it does have the controversy surrounding all of this seems to be innate and growing.

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written by TenBelowZero , October 07, 2008 (11:22:02 AM)

"MMmm cookies!! Thanks Brett!" Thats the only comment that should count here. Come on you guys this article doesnt need alot of analization! Some kids got cookies end of story. Now excuse me im goin to grab a double double and a triple chocolate cookie.