Several non-profit organizations and initiatives in Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough, Northumberland, and Haliburton counties have something to smile about this spring.
Tim Hortons restaurants have announced the 2024 “Smile Cookie” beneficiaries in the region, which range from hospitals and health care services to breakfast programs and treatment supports for children who have disabilities.
Beginning Monday (April 29) until May 5, 100 per cent of the proceeds from the sale of smile cookies — chocolate chip cookies decorated with a smiley face made of icing — will be donated to more than 600 charities and community groups selected by local Tim Hortons restaurant owners across Canada.
Last year, Tim Hortons guests helped raise a record-breaking $19.7 million through the annual Smile Cookie campaign, Tim Hortons noted in a media release.
In Lindsay, the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation is one of the Smile Cookie beneficiaries. The foundation says it is “thrilled” to be selected as a partner charity by Tim Hortons restaurant owners Nick and Meaghan Chapman, who own and operate five Tim Hortons locations in Lindsay.
“We know how important the hospital is to our patrons and people throughout Kawartha Lakes,” said Nick Chapman in a media release. “The Ross is our hospital, too. It’s where our four children were born and where we go for care when we need it. It’s nice to know that the Smile Cookie campaign will benefit everyone by supporting local patient care.”
The money raised will support advancements in patient care at the Lindsay hospital, the foundation noted.
The highest priority investments at Ross Memorial Hospital include the future expansion and modernization of the hospital’s emergency department and intensive care unit, the community’s new MRI and CT scanner, bedside equipment including the new fleet of IV pumps, and the clinical information system that connects patients’ digital health information records to medical technology and bedside tools.
“We’re so grateful to the Chapmans for choosing to support the hospital during the Smile Cookie campaign,” said Erin Coons, Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation’s CEO. “Fundraising promotions such as this are a great way to spread some joy and raise awareness of priority needs at the hospital. Combining cookies and a good cause — what could be better?”
The Chapmans’ Tim Hortons restaurants include three on Kent Street West, one at the corner of County Road 36 and Mount Hope Street, and one on Highway 35 south of Highway 7.
Along with the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation, Kawartha Lakes Food Source is also a beneficiary of the Smile Cookies campaign in Lindsay, with one Tim Hortons outlet supporting the Kawartha Lakes Humane Society.
Meanwhile in Northumberland County, Five Counties Children’s Centre has been selected as the local charity to benefit from this year’s Smile Cookie campaign at Tim Hortons locations in Cobourg and Colborne.
“We are very grateful to Tim Hortons locations in Cobourg and Colborne for selecting Five Counties to be the beneficiary of the annual Smile Cookie campaign,” said Scott Pepin, CEO of Five Counties Children’s Centre, in a news release. “Fundraising efforts like this help reduce wait times and ensure more children and families get the access to care they need when they need it.”
To support Five Counties, residents are encouraged to visit a Tim Hortons locations in Cobourg or Colborne to purchase a Smile Cookie. Bulk orders are also available and can be ordered by visiting the Five Counties’ website at www.fivecounties.on.ca.
During the campaign, Five Counties staff, volunteers, families, and supporters will be at the six Tim Hortons locations in Cobourg and Colborne to collect donations and thank visitors.
All money raised from Smile Cookies for Five Counties will go towards the centre’s building abilities for life campaign, which funds priority, high-demand services like speech therapy and occupational therapy with the aim of reducing long wait times.
Last year, Five Counties provided treatment services for more than 1,615 children and youth in Northumberland County. In total, across its entire region which includes Northumberland, as well as Peterborough, Haliburton County, and the City of Kawartha Lakes, more than 6,200 children and youth benefited last year from its programs, that include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and other treatment services.
According to Tim Hortons, the Smile Cookie campaign beneficiaries across the Kawarthas region include:
- Peterborough, Lakefield, Buckhorn, Curve Lake, Havelock – Community Care Peterborough
- Lindsay – Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation and Kawartha Lakes Food Source, with one outlet supporting Kawartha Lakes Humane Society
- Bobcaygeon – Bobcaygeon Public School breakfast program, Dunsford Public School breakfast program
- Coboconk – Ridgewood Public School’s breakfast program
- Fenelon Falls – Fenelon Falls Secondary School breakfast program, Langton Public School breakfast program
- Port Hope – Navy League Cadets
- Cobourg and Colborne – Five Counties Children’s Centre
- Campbellford – The Bridge Hospice
- Brighton – Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundaton
- Bancroft – North Hastings District Hospital Auxiliary
- Haliburton and Minden – Volunteer Dental Outreach for Haliburton County
