Spreading municipal pride in a hospital lobby

Giving back to the city is what Johnny De Bakker is all about.

DeBakker, who helped found the I Heart Thunder Bay brand, spent all day Thursday in the lobby of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, hawking everything from T-shirts to golf balls, all in the name of spreading the word about the city he grew up in.


It was also his way of giving back.

“We’re selling all our Christmas stocking stuff, and 20 per cent from today’s sales are all going to the volunteer association here at the hospital,” De Bakker said.

“We’re giving back to the community, which is a big part of what Christmas is all about. It’s better to give than it is to receive.”

I Heart TBay T-shirts have been sported around the world, since they first landed on the scene a couple of years ago.

DeBakker said because of that, it promotes Thunder Bay around the world.

“If you go to our website you’ll notice the photos have been taken on every continent except Antarctica. We’ve been all across Canada, all across the United States and we’re just happy to be promoting pride in the city,” he said.

I Heart TBay merchandise can be found at Ozone on Memorial Avenue.