in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, Ju ne 24 ,2 02 1 | 40 L azeez Shawarma gave away 9,000free Canadian flags on July 1st lastyear and will give away over 11,000 free flags this Canada Day! All you need to do to get a free full-size Canadian car flag (measuring about 1 x 1.5 foot) is to show up at any of the 40 Lazeez Shawarma locations across the GTA on July 1st and say, "Happy Canada Day!" "We started the annual tradition of giving away FREE Canadian flags on Canada Day in 2013 when we only had one location in Mississauga," explains Nada Nasri, Co-founder of Lazeez Shawarma. "People were so happy and so proud to receive their Canadian flag and can't wait to display it. You should see the look of joy on their faces! We have embraced the 'Free Canadian Flags for All' as a tradition for nine years consecutively. Our company has grown to 40 locations across the GTA, and all our franchise locations will be handing out free flags on Canada Day with no purchase necessary. This gesture of goodwill demonstrates our Canadian spirit of kindness, of giving back to the communities we serve, and showcases our resilience. It is our way of spreading smiles and joy while recognizing and giving thanks to this great country we live in." This year Lazeez Shawarma has partnered with the Royal Canadian Legion (Ontar io Command) and Legion members will be on hand at participating Lazeez Shawarma locations to help hand out the free Canadian flags. Lazeez Shawarma recognizes the sacrifices our veterans have made, and continue to make, and is proud to support the Royal Canadian Legion in their mission. The giveaways will be done while following current COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines. Lazeez Shawarma is the six-time consecutive winner of the Mississauga News and Brampton Guardian Readers' Choice Awards for Favourite Middle Eastern Restaurant. "Our focus is on authentic flavours, freshness and great taste," says Nada, who oversees food operations. "I am most proud of our food, our people, our growth, and our work to give back to the communities we serve." The company has become known for its our philanthropic work which inc ludes organizing food dr ives to suppor t local food banks and supporting organizations such as Refugee Girls Worldwide and others. Co-founder/Franchise Manager Sahib Rana adds: "Our company also began the Food Drive in Support of the Nav Bhatia SuperFan Foundation. Nav is a huge fan of Lazeez, and he exemplifies inclusivity, patriotism, and a love for all. Our saying is 'However you say it, it's delicious", which states that food brings us together. Lazeez is authentically Mediterranean and proudly Canadian. We are United by Taste and united in our love for this great Nation." Sahib recently won the Canadian SME Business Magazine's Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2020. The vir tual ceremony was live streamed on April 30, 2021, as Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, presented the prestigious award to Sahib. In his acceptance speech, Sahib said: "We started our first restaurant without any external support. The secret to our success and building over 40 restaurants in such a short time Co-founder Nada Nasri Co-founder Sahib Singh Rana Advertorial