Ahoy mateys: Pirate Pak Day is returning to White Spot restaurants this week.
After a three-year hiatus, the restaurant’s fundraiser is taking place on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 53 full-service White Spot locations across B.C. On the annual Pirate Pak Day, $2 from each adult and kid’s Pirate Pak sold through dine-in and take-out will help send children and young adults to the Zajac Ranch for Children, a longtime B.C.-based charity dedicated to giving children and young adults with life-threatening illnesses and chronic disabilities an unforgettable camp experience.
“One of White Spot’s values has long been a deep commitment to people and the community. Pirate Pak Day holds a special place in our hearts because it exemplifies these values while also showing the immense positive impact that a day of fun can have in young people’s lives,” Trent Carroll, president of White Spot hospitality, said in a news release. “This year is especially important as we strive to surpass the million-dollar mark in our accumulative Pirate Pak Day fundraising efforts, so we have all hands on deck to help us reach this historic milestone.”
Now in its 11th year, Pirate Pak Days had raised $889,502 prior to this year’s event. That’s the equivalent of 444,751 Pirate Paks.
Funds raised at Pirate Pak Days have helped send hundreds of children and young adults to camp for a week at the 41-acre ranch in Mission, where they participate in a variety of activities, including horseback riding, kayaking, water sports and arts and crafts.
“Our long-standing partnership with White Spot provides a direct benefit for kids with medical needs,” says Mel Zajac, founder of Zajac Ranch for Children. “Time spent at the ranch helps them develop greater social and environmental awareness, increased self-confidence, and positive attitudes towards physical activity. We encourage everyone to partake in Pirate Pak Day so that as many children as possible can experience summer camp.”
The local White Spot restaurant in Royal City Centre at 610 Sixth St. is participating in Pirate Pak Day.
Introduced as “Little Mateys” back in 1968, more than 24 million Pirate Paks have been sold through the decades, said a press release from White Spot.
Normally reserved for kids, Pirate Paks are available for all ages starting at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 16.
The adult Pirate Pak Day menu is available for dine-in and take-out (delivery is excluded) and includes a selection of burgers (Legendary, BC Chicken, Bacon Cheddar, and Brie & Mushroom Veggie); the White Spot Club; and Dippin’ Chicken. All meals are served in a pirate boat, and include fries, coleslaw, a soft drink, a scoop of ice cream, and a chocolate "gold" coin.
New Westminster residents have supported the fundraiser through the years, including 2017, when the local White Spot restaurant sold 845 Pirate Paks — raising more than $1,600 for Zajac Ranch.
