By Angela Hill

Sharing a cup of coffee with troops abroad

Dec 1, 2010 | 6:54 AM

For Ian Scobie and Ramsay Bellisle having a Tim Horton gift card was a good way to pass some time when they were in Afghanistan.

On days where they had only a couple of hours of free time, they would head for a cup of coffee.

“You just go to Tim’s and wait in line for an hour,” Scobie said and laughed.

The pair was on hand with two other troops, Tuesday night, to launch Parkland Ambulance’s Share a Cup for a Brave Canuck initiative.

Parkland Ambulance has partnered with Toronto EMS to collect as many Tim Horton $10 gift cards as possible to send overseas, to people stationed in Afghanistan.

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“It’s a wonderful way for Canadians to give back to the troops that are giving of themselves,” said Lyle Karasiuk, public affairs officer for Parkland Ambulance.

Bellisle is also a paramedic, which is why the company decided to get involved supporting Canadian troops overseas.

A few members of the public came to show their support for the program.

“We decided this years, the soldiers were going to be our Christmas charity,” said Barb Brandon, who arrived with her family members.

They were carrying red and green envelopes stuffed with gift cards.

For her family, showing support for troops in Afghanistan isn’t a political statement.

“It doesn’t matter whether we should be there or not, they are over there anyway,” Brandon said.

Last year, about 500 cards were sent from Prince Albert and the surrounding area.

Anyone interested in sending them this year can write a personal message with the Tim card and send it to Parkland Ambulance, 225-24th Street West, S6V 4M8. They will be shipped in Afghanistan in two batches, once on Dec. 20 and the second Jan. 15.

ahill@panow.com