Proudly Canadian FDFA Contest Winners

Congratulations to Nancy Enright of Boutique Hors taxes de Philipsburg and Gene Davis of North Portal Duty Free Shop, winners of our Proudly Canadian Frontier Duty Free Association Vancouver Prize Draw.

Our lucky winners will each receive a genuine Danier leather jacket courtesy of Casa Cubana and Proudly Canadian!

On a personal note, thanks to everyone for making our first FDFA show such a wonderful and rewarding experience. From the owners and operators to the FDFA organizers and admin staff, it was a pleasure meeting everyone in the Duty Free family. We met a lot of great people, did a lot of new business and, most importantly, began some friendships that we’re sure will last a lifetime.

Thanks again to each and every one of you – can’t wait to see you next year in Niagara Falls!

Click on the small images for larger photos.

Alouette Quarterback Cavillo Dons Proudly Canadian Jersey

Montreal Alouette Quarterback Anthony Calvillo joined Proudly Canadian President, Domenico Ciarallo recently at Montreal landmark Moishes Restaurant as part of a charity supper. Anthony Calvillo leads his CFL Alouettes in one of his best years on record with his eye on the 2008 Grey Cup in front of the home town crowd. A fan favorite, Calvillo and his family live full time in Montreal, a city that Calvillo calls home. When not on the field, Calvillo also enjoys a fast paced game of ball hockey and he will definitely put his Proudly Canadian jersey to good use! Touchdown Alouettes!

Representing Canada With Pride

Early one morning prior to a recent sporting goods show in southern Ontario, I had no idea what I was about to experience through the meeting of a Hamilton born Canadian soldier. I have heard through radio, television and newspaper of these war time circumstances, but today I was learning them first hand from one of Canada’s proud soldiers.

A hometown hero, Christopher Gillis, a 28 year old gentle giant, sits in front of me, bearded and soft spoken recounting his experiences of the past six months during his tour of duty in Afghanistan.

After 6 months in Zhari and Panjwayi of the Kandahar province, I’m told of the daily routine of these brave Canadian men. With scorching heat averaging between 55-60 degrees Celsius daily, they conduct their daily patrols and help locals protect and police themselves.

Local townspeople, elders and young children alike smile and extend their hands in appreciation for the safely and calm they feel because of the presence of Christopher and his Canadian comrades.

While not on patrol, the Canadian soldiers communicated with their families through daily email and phone services sharing 2 terminals with 20 minute time limits.

Their work did not come without pain and suffering as several troops within his troop lost their lives. Unlike Christopher, they would not return home to the loving arms of their mothers, as did Christopher with mom Colleen.

He stated that “my mother and I both did a tour of duty in Afghanistan” explaining the worry that plagued his mother during those 180 days.

The question I posed Christopher prior to ending our conversation is whether he would do it again and his answer is what I expected from this mature individual. “It’s a good thing we’re doing… I believe in what we’re doing… and we are making a difference”

“We are Canadian sons and daughters representing Canada with pride”

Jim Cuddy a Hit at Local Charity Tournament

Rob Weir Memorial Charity Tournament began in 1995 as a tribute to his father, who died of a massive heart attack at age 46 while playing hockey in October 1993. In early years, the tournament consisted of four men’s teams who collected donations for Heart & Stroke – bringing in between $800 and $1,300 per year.

In 2007, the tournament grew to 28 teams and had 2 women's teams play an exhibition game. This was our best year where we raised over $78K. After the success of this Rob pitched the Heart and Stroke on the concept that this could work in other locations and they agreed. So after 13 years of volunteering, Rob proudly took on a role to start up 3 new tourneys across Ontario.

So far the first 2 new expansion tourneys have been so much fun and very successful! We may be adding more before the end of the year. Check back for more info soon.

For the past eight years, the NHL Old-timers, have contributed greatly to the success of the tournament, where the participants have the opportunity to play hockey against some of their own heroes! Other notable celebrities who have taken part in the past include Brian McFarlane, Bryan Lewis (former chief NHL Referee), Jim Cuddy (Blue Rodeo), George Stroumboulopoulos (CBC - The Hour), Andrew Scott (Sloan) and Gord Downie (Tragically Hip).

Official Re-opening of Garnet Graham Park - Fenelon Falls

Fenelon Falls in the City of Kawartha Lakes celebrated Canada Day 2007 with the re-opening of Garnet Graham Park.

City officials and event organizers were dressed in Proudly Canadian attire for the official ribbon cutting ceremony. The day was filled with a tribute to our troops in Afghanistan, firefighting demonstrations and water fun in a supervised swimming, playground and picnic area, live entertainment with the Bloodline Blues Band, a museum visit for strawberries and tea, fireworks at dusk and delicious Canada Day cake for all!

Montreal Gazette Story on Proudly Canadian Clothing

Proudly Canadian Clothing was the subject of a recent article in the Montreal Gazette.

Click here to read article.

Proudly Canadian Clothing Now at McGill University Bookstore

McGill University is one of Canada's best-known institutions of higher learning and the country's leading research-intensive University. With students coming to McGill from about 140 countries, our student body is the most internationally diverse of any medical-doctoral university in Canada.

The oldest university in Montreal, McGill was founded in 1821 from a generous bequest by James McGill, a prominent Scottish merchant. Since that time, McGill has grown from a small college to a bustling university with two campuses, 11 faculties, some 300 programs of study, and more than 32,000 students. The University partners with four affiliated teaching hospitals to graduate over 1,000 health care professionals each year.

August 2006: Proudly Canadian "Flower"

Guy Lafleur is honored by Proudly Canadian owners Alfio Arciero & Domenico Ciarallo with official Proudly Canadian jersey at their recent Charity Golf Classic.

The event raised $60,000 benefiting the Missing Children's Network Canada. Guy! Guy! Guy!

August 2006: Charity Golf Classic Raises $60,000

West Island businessmen, Domenico Ciarallo and Alfio Arciero of the Lightning Group in association with Andrew Salpeter and Terry Soucy of CIBC Wood Gundy are proud to announce that the 2nd Annual Missing Children's Network Canada Charity Golf Classic raised $60,000. Hosted at Club Link course, Val des Lac in Ste Sophie on August 7, 2006, the event included celebrities Guy Lafleur, Annie & Donald Tarlton, Rejean Houle and 175 guests.

June 2006: Proudly Canadian Clothing Visits Boston International Film Festival

Domenico Ciarallo, President of Proudly Canadian Clothing was an honoured guest of Executive Producer  Frank Muggia and Director Michael Damian at their movie premier of "Hot Tamale" at the Boston International Film Festival.

The cast of the film including Diora Baird, Mike Starr, Chris Goodman and Sabra Malkinson were on hand to promote the event. Randy Spelling, Jason Priestley and Carmen Electra who also appeared in the movie were unavailable to attend the east coast premier, but Randy Spelling did live interviews on local Boston radio stations.  A crowd of 350 people attended the screening as well as as a posh after hours party at Boston's Felt Club. www.hottamalethemovie.com

May 2006: Now Available at Pierre Elliot Trudeau!

Proudly Canadian Clothing is now available at Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport at Boutique GAM. Now offering a full line of Proudly Canadian hockey jerseys and headwear in addition to their licensed sporting goods apparel including NHL, NBA, MLB, NFL, F1, Team Canada and World Cup Soccer.

August 2005: Missing Children's Nework -$13, 280.00

Alfio Arciero and Domenico Ciarallo were pleased to announce that $13280.00 was raised at their Annual Charity Golf Classic benefiting the Missing Children’s Network. In addition to Honorary President Bob Gainey, participants were treated to other celebrities including; Montreal Impact’s Joey Saputo, Mike Moretto and Nick DeSantis, CFCF TV broadcaster Randy Tieman, world boxing Champion Otis Grant and his trainer Howard Grant.

August 2005: Bob Gainey, Montreal Canadiens Hockey GM

Bob Gainey, General Manager of the Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club joined Proudly Canadian owners Alfio Arciero and Domenico Ciarallo as Honorary President of their Annual Charity Golf Classic benefiting the Missing Children’s Network. He joins an impressive group of past Honorary President’s including Montreal Canadiens Guy Lafleur and Montreal Impact’s owner Joey Saputo.

June 2005: Canadian Ultra Marathon Team

The Canadian Ultra Marathon Team visited Hokkaido Japan to participate in the 2005 Ultra Marathon World Cup Championship. The team was composed of Canadians from across the country with both teams competing well internationally. The Canadian runners were greeted with smiles throughout the townships they visited and Proudly Canadian Clothing was presented to many officials along the way. Visit http://www.acu100k.com/index.html for more information on the Canadian Ultra Marathon Team.

May 2005: Red Storey is Proudly Canadian

On May 6 th, 2005, well wishers, friends and family gathered for the 88 th birthday of NHL referee great and Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee “Red” Storey.

One of Canada’s most well know professional referee and sports figure celebrated his day with over 700 local Montrealers, sports greats, TV and media personalities.