A Gatineau man’s collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia gets the attention of the soft drink company.
While many enjoy the taste, others collect everything with the famous Coca-Cola logo on it.
Claude of Gatineau, Que. has grown a collection of more than 150 Coke items. His collection has just about everything you could think of, such as signs, glasses, clocks, lamps and chairs. It also includes bigger items like a functioning vending machine from 1956 that he had purchased from someone in Ottawa.
His collection grabbed the attention of the Coca-Cola company.
CTV News first reported on Claude’s love for everything Coke, in October. Coca-Cola came across the story, and got in touch through a public relations agency – with a goal of connecting with collector.
“I was surprised. I mean, I was flattered that they contacted me,” Claude tells CTV News.
But, it wasn’t just getting in touch. Coca-Cola invited Claude to join the company’s annual Holiday Caravan Tour, as it made a stop recently in Ottawa at an Ottawa Senators game.
At the event, Claude was presented with gifts to add to his collection.
“(The invitation is) because he’s a real fan (and) a real collector,” says Simon Allard, Coca-Cola General Manager for Ottawa and Gatineau.
“There’s not a lot of them (collectors), but when we come across a person that collects a lot, we usually like to also contribute to the collection, because we do also produce and have a lot of materials and collection and promotional items. So, we’re happy to contribute to this collection, that’s for sure.”
Gatineau resident Claude shows his collection of everything Coke. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa
Claude received several red-and-white items branded with the Coca-Cola logo, including a blanket, a duffel bag for the recent Olympic Games, sunglasses, socks, and a mini holiday truck.
“Oh man! This is all great! I love it. This was a big surprise,” he said.
The company sent “Muskoka Chairs,” directly to Claude’s home too.
“I’m going to enjoy putting them together and sitting outside,” he says.
Where can I see the holiday truck?
If you missed the giant lit-up truck at the recent stop during an Ottawa Senators game, you can still catch the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan at two upcoming locations.
The truck will be on display at Loblaw’s Oglivie Road on Thursday from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. and YIG River Road on Saturday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
You can stop by for a chance to snap a photo with Santa.
“Santa is very busy at this time, but we have been able to secure him,” says Allard.
“It’s an opportunity for people, young and adult, to take a picture with Santa Claus, and to feature a new campaign, which is the Canada’s Kindness Community, which is a contest to inspire people to be kind and generous and act as a kind citizen in their community.”