Anonymous UBC student hides over 100 gift cards across campus
An anonymous student at UBC is helping spread some joy during stressful times for students, by hiding gift cards across campus.
According to the university, over the past year Reddit user “AJazzy69,” who goes by the name Jazzy, has been tucking coffee gift cards in library books, on shelves and on chairs in various locations.
He will take photos of the cards and post them on UBC’s Reddit page with hints of the locations, so students can enjoy a free coffee on him.
Jazzy said it all started when he was returning to in-person classes in the fall of 2021 following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“On Reddit, there was lots of gloom and negativity and stress. I was stressed, too, and I thought, ‘Is there any way I can help? I might as well try,'” Jazzy said in a news release from the university.
Jazzy said he purchased his first gift card that day, posting about it on Reddit, promising to hide more cards around campus in the coming weeks.
Since then, he estimates he’s handed out at least 100 gift cards to both Starbucks and Tim Hortons, with the value of the cards ranging from $5 to $75.
“I’ve experienced depression and anxiety in my life, so I’m passionate about giving back and improving mental health, just spreading a little bit of positivity across campus,” Jazzy said.
He adds that he’s fortunate his job allows him the financial flexibility to hand out the gift cards, which he typically distributes during stressful times for students, including exam season.
Jazzy has chosen to remain anonymous, not even telling his parents about what he’s doing.
“You just do it for the sake of doing it,” he said. “That’s why it’s anonymous. I was just raised like that. You give back. It gives me a sense of trying to do my part.”
Jazzy said he hasn’t decided what will happen to his project once he graduates, but he’s considering finding someone to keep it going.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
3 law officers serving warrant are killed, 5 wounded in shootout at North Carolina home, police say
Three officers on a U.S. Marshals Task Force serving a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and five other officers were wounded in a shootout Monday at a North Carolina home, police said.
'Shocked and concerned': Calgary principal charged with possession of child pornography
A Calgary elementary school principal has been charged with possession of child pornography, authorities announced Monday.
Health authority confirms cockroaches at B.C. hospital, insists they 'do not bite'
The Vancouver Island Health Authority is downplaying what staff describe as a cockroach infestation in a medical unit of Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
Toronto police arrest 12 people, lay 102 charges in major credit card fraud scheme
Toronto police say 12 people are facing a combined 102 charges in connection with an investigation into a major credit fraud scheme.
Winner of US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot is an immigrant from Laos who has cancer
One of the winners of a historic US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot last month is an immigrant from Laos who has had cancer for eight years and had his latest chemotherapy treatment last week.
Britney and Jamie Spears settlement avoids long, potentially ugly and revealing trial
Britney Spears and her father Jamie Spears will avoid what could have been a long, ugly and revealing trial with a settlement of the lingering issues in the court conservatorship that controlled her life and financial decisions for nearly 14 years.
WATCH 'Double whammy': What happens if you don't file your taxes by the deadline
The clock is ticking ahead of the deadline to file a 2023 income tax return. A personal finance expert explains why you should get them done -- even if you owe more than you can pay.