THUNDER BAY – A lot of diets may have gone out the window during Tim Hortons’ recent Smile Cookie campaign, but the calories don’t count because it was for a good cause.
A total of $53,000 was collected during the annual fundraiser, the money split evenly between the George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation and Toys for Tots, the firefighters’ long-standing Christmas campaign that provides gifts for children and need during the holiday season in partnership with Christmas Cheer.
Paul Penna said the cookie campaign represents a significant amount for Toys for Tots, which doesn’t set an official fundraising target, but aims for about $150,000.
“The children are identified age and gender specific and we provide gifts for those children – upward of 4,000 children. It just makes for a better Christmas for these people. It’s huge and what Tim Hortons does for us, to start off our campaign each year is huge.”
This year marks the first year the Smile Cookie money has been split between to charities, and while Penna said that might make it tougher for them to reach their unofficial goal, he’s all for the idea.
“I think this year we’ll be challenged to get to that $150,000 because we’re starting a little bit behind with George Jeffrey having half of the campaign. But that is a positive thing because George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation also helps children,” Penna said.
“We’re working alongside each other to help children in the community.”
Steve MacDonald, executive director of the George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation, said he was thrilled to learn they’d be sharing in the cookie collection.
“It’s going to have an incredible impact on the children and families who come to the George Jeffrey Children’s Centre for care,” he said on Wednesday, moments after the cheques were unveiled.
“We’re focused on increasing access to the centre. We continue to get more and more children on the wait list. And we’re also focused on enhancing the programs and services there. So this significant donation is going to help across the board at George Jeffrey.”
Local Tim Hortons franchisee Brent Prepp said the response from the public during the Smile Cookie campaign was phenomenal.
“I can’t thank the community enough and our team members, who pulled through, baked these cookies and sold them. I’m so appreciative of all the team members across the city,” Prepp said.
Toys for Tots will launch their annual Christmas campaign on Friday.
