It was all hands on deck on Friday morning, as the Tim Hortons on Ormond Street in Thorold celebrated their participation in this year’s Smile Cookie campaign.
“We’re selling cookies all week up until Sunday, supporting the Alzheimer Society and Autism Ontario,” restaurant owner Shawn Petlichkov told ThoroldToday. “We’re trying to drive cookie sales outside. It’s a beautiful day. It’s great to be here.”
Nationally, Tim Hortons restaurant owners support over 600 local charities and community groups through the Smile Cookie campaign.
With every purchase of a Smile Cookie from the St. Catharines, Thorold and Niagara-on-Lake locations, 100% of the proceeds from the sales will be donated to The Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region and Autism Ontario South Region.
“We’re hoping for $1000 a day minimum,” Petlichkov said. “This is just one location, times that by many more in the Region and you see how much of an impact it makes to local charities. A lot of our customers are involved in these charities that we support. They’re passionate. It’s always good to give back.”
The CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region, Teena Kindt, told ThoroldToday that it’s the first time the charity has gotten involved with the Smile Cookie campaign.
“It’s wonderful exposure,” Kindt said. “We want people to be able to come to the Alzheimer Society to help them on their journey through this disease process. It’s wonderful to be out there and have a presence but the dollars are also very important to our programs.”
The Alzheimer Society tries to raise $700,000 every year, and by getting involved with the Smile Cookie campaign the charity hopes to fund at least 10 per cent of that amount.
“A lot of our social programs, wellness programs, are not covered by the government so we fundraise,” said Kindt. “This would be a significant part of that budget. We’re really excited and it’s been a lot of fun too. It has real community engagement.”
Janine O’Brien, who is the volunteer coordinator for Autism Ontario South Region, said that the funds raised will help kids with autism attend summer camp.
“We put on a summer camp for seven weeks for autistic individuals age 4 and up,” O’Brien told ThoroldToday. “It really gives them experience where they can get that individualized camp experience that is sensory friendly and that is tailored to their specific needs.”
It is also the first time Autism Ontario has gotten involved with the Smile Cookie campaign.
“Our hearts have been full all week,” said O’Brien. “We’ve had such positive stories from our families that have been telling us about purchasing the Smile Cookies and helping us volunteer. They’ve been absolutely overjoyed to be a part of this. We’ve been astonished by the support that we’ve gotten.”
The city's CAO Manoj Dilwaria, as well as Councillors Tim O’Hare and Mike De Divitiis were on hand Friday morning to help decorate some of the Smile Cookies. Even the mascot of the Niagara River Lions got involved.
As for Petlichkov, he hopes to drive up cookie sales until the last day of the campaign this Sunday.
“Come on out and support the local charities,” he said. “Come get your cookies and spread smiles throughout the Region.”
