Smile Cookie Season Begins!

Monday, 29 April 2024 07:59

You can purchase a Smile Cookie at the Tim Horton's locations in Woodstock, Ingersoll, Tillsonburg, Thamesford, Norwich, Tavistock, and Innerkip.

OXFORD COUNTY You'll have a smile on your face if you stop by your local Tim Horton's today.

The latest Smile Cookie campaign is now underway, with all of the proceeds going to charities. The owner of each location gets to choose which local cause to support.

Half of the money raised at the Woodstock locations, the Ingersoll locations, and the newly opened Innerkip store will be going to United Way Oxford.

United Way provides financial support to local organizations that fall under its three main pillars; Building Strong Communities, From Poverty to Possibility, and All That Kids Can Be. Resource Development Coordinator Meghan Porter says Strong Start is just one of the many programs they support here in Oxford County.

"They have volunteers who go into schools and they have sort of an off-the-shelf program that helps children with literacy in that age group."

The other half of the funds raised in Woodstock, Ingersoll, and Innerkip will be going to VON Sakura House. It's a 10-bed residential hospice that provides end-of-life care free of cost, but Fund Development Coordinator Brittany Bratt says they rely on donations from the public.

"We are partially government-funded, but it's not all of the way. So we do need to make up the difference there to ensure that this is available in our community for years to come."

The Tim Hortons locations in Woodstock and Ingersoll were able to raise over $120,000 for United Way Oxford and VON Sakura House last year.

Over in Thamesford, the local Tim Hortons will support Andrew's Legacy once again. It raises funds to put AEDs in schools after 15-year-old Andrew Stoddart died while playing soccer in Kintore back in 2015.

Andrew's mother Cara Schmidt founded Andrew's Legacy and they have made a huge impact since then.

"We have 72 defibrillators that we have specifically donated to public spaces. They include baseball fields, soccer fields, churches, horse arenas, and museums. It's so incredible to see how this community has come together."

The Thamesford Tim Hortons has partnered with Andrew's Legacy for six years now. They were able to raise $9,000 during their first year together, and as of last year, they have raised over $85,000 total. Schmidt says the Thamesford location is ranked fifth in Ontario for Smile Cookie sales, and it's hoping to rank in the top 10 nationally this year.

Looking at some of the other Tim Hortons locations in Oxford County; Tillsonburg will be raising funds for the Tillsonburg Multi-Service Centre, Norwich will be donating to the Norwich Salvation Army, Tavistock will be supporting the Tavistock Assistance Program, and the ONroute locations in Woodstock and Ingersoll will be supporting Million Dollar Smiles.

The Smile Cookie campaign will end on Sunday May 5th.