Newmarket resident Daley Fry has thrown plenty of themed birthday celebrations for her kids over the years.
A regular shopper of Loblaws-chain grocery stores, Fry said her son JT made an unusual request for his 12th birthday celebration: a No Name brand theme.
Fry said the family decided to go the extra mile for the request.
“Where we shop all the time, it was something different that he saw in the stores,” she said, adding that birthday themes is “just something that we do to help celebrate their day … This was the biggest theme that we’ve done.”
The Fry family celebrated the birthday in June, with Loblaws recognizing the family with a custom gift bag July 8. The family’s social media post about it also got plenty of positive buzz, with more than 570 reactions on a local community Facebook page.
Fry said they went into a superstore to find the items they wanted and got talking with the manager there. The store asked for a photo, which was then sent to head office, which then sent a gift of a custom-made set of sweatpants and sweatshirt for JT.
“It was a surprise,” Fry said. “They hand delivered it to him (JT) … He appreciated it.”
Many Newmarket residents complimented the party concept on social media.
“The party looks amazing. You are so creative,” one local said on Facebook. “ And what a great bonus to hear from Loblaws and get a gift.”
The family is known for their Christmas in July celebrations, though Fry said they did not run that this year as their decorations have worn down.
Fry said she was appreciative of Loblaws' gesture.
“Very heartwarming, honestly,” she said. “With all of the bad news that’s happening in the world, it’s nice to have something to show that companies are trying.
“It was all just for fun, we weren’t expecting anything out of it,” Fry added. “It was all just for fun and bring a little joy to people.”
