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Boston Pizza raises record amount of dough for Canadian youth

Boston Pizza guests opened their hearts and wallets to raise $535,000 for charity this past Valentine's Day.

February 23, 2016

Boston Pizza guests opened their hearts and wallets to raise $535,000 for charity this past Valentine's Day, surpassing the goal of $520,000. The restaurant chain's annual heart-shaped pizza fundraiser was Feb. 14 at more than 370 locations nationwide in support of Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects, according to a company press release.

BPF Future Prospects raises funds and awareness for a variety of local, regional and national organizations committed to connecting kids with role models in their communities to ensure they have the guidance necessary to support their futures. This year marked the 24th anniversary of the annual Valentine's Day program, which has raised more than $6 million since it began in 1993.

"We are extremely grateful to the many Canadians who were hungry to help out this Valentine's Day by celebrating their love with a delicious heart-shaped pizza," said Cheryl Treliving, executive director of BPF Future Prospects. "This is our most successful Valentine's Day campaign to date and the funds raised will go a long way to helping kids across Canada be great."

One dollar from the sale of every heart-shaped pizza sold on Feb 14 at Boston Pizza across Canada on was donated to BPF Future Prospects, the releas stated. From Jan. 11 to Feb. 14, guests were also invited to purchase a Boston Pizza Peel & Win Heart for a minimum donation of $2.

Proceeds from the Valentine's Day campaign raised support the Future Prospects' partners programs, including: Big Brothers Big Sisters, which provides mentorship and guidance to nearly one million Canadian children at risk; the JDRF Ambassador and Leadership program, which provides youth and teens with type 1 diabetes opportunities for leadership, mentoring, and presentation training; Kids Help Phone, which helps ensure young people have ongoing access to its essential, professional and innovative counselling and support services; Live Different, which delivers motivational school assemblies, workshops and leadership training programs through Canada's public, Catholic and independent middle and secondary schools; and, the Rick Hansen Foundation, which creates more opportunities for those with disabilities by removing barriers and by inspiring the next generation to understand the importance of accessibility and inclusion.