Media Release
Record-breaking number of Smiles: Tim Hortons® raises a record $10.56 million throughout national Smile Cookie Campaign.
Restaurant owners from Wiarton & Hepworth are donating 100% of proceeds from sales of Smile Cookies to Bruce Peninsula Health Services Foundation this fall
TORONTO, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 – Tim Hortons restaurant owners and millions of generous Canadians across the country combined broke a new Smile Cookie record by raising $10.56 million for local charities across the country.
This year in Wiarton and Hepworth, local Tim Hortons restaurant owners Jim, Jordie and Michelle Preston and guests helped raise $9,700 to support Bruce Peninsula Health Services Foundation, that’s up by $2,000 from last year! Since 2009, Smile Cookie has raised a total of $46,000 for Bruce Peninsula Hospitals. WOW, that is a lot of cookies! This year, Smile Cookie has supported the upcoming purchase of Defibrillators and Cardiac Transport Monitors for both the Wiarton and Lion’s Head Hospitals.
April Patry, BPHSF Executive Director shared “We are always so appreciative of the Preston’s unwavering support for local healthcare, their fabulous staff who really get behind this campaign, as well as the incredible community participation in this annual event. In light of these troubling times, this year’s Smile Cookie success means more than ever. We are tasked to raise $138,000 for urgent cardiac care equipment, and that is just one of the needs identified on this year’s capital request list for our Peninsula Hospitals. To all who purchased a cookie or two, (or a dozen or two), please know that 100% of your support will go towards the purchase of this life-saving cardiac equipment, which may not seem like much individually, but collectively, has an enormous impact. Thank you for this.”
“We were absolutely blown away by the generosity of Canadians for our annual Smile Cookie campaign,” says Tim Hortons Chief Marketing Officer Hope Bagozzi.
Wiarton and Hepworth Tim Hortons Owner, Jordie Preston echoed Bagozzi and Patry’s appreciation. “We are just blown away by the support of customers in our community. Let’s face it, it’s been a tough year – especially in an area like ours where summer tourists are an important part of our economy. For our customers and staff, to still support the Smile Cookie initiative to such a tremendous degree is truly impressive. As restaurant owners, we just feel lucky to be able to provide an avenue for Bruce Peninsula residents to do what we do best – support each other, rain or shine.”
Co-owner, Jim Preston was quick to credit his staff for being the driving force behind the success of Smile Cookie. He was especially proud of Chantal Baron who works the drive thru at the Wiarton Tim Hortons, and sold the most cookies hands down he said. Chantal shared “I have a big connection to the hospital and it’s important to me. The hospital needs the money more than ever. I ask every car that comes through the drive thru if they want to purchase a Smile Cookie for a dollar. What’s a dollar to you, it means a lot to us!”
Tim Hortons restaurant owners across Canada will be presenting their local charity partners with Smile Cookie cheques throughout the next month.
Smile Cookie Campaign Facts
• In 2019, the Smile Cookie campaign raised a record $9.8 million across Canada
• For over 24 years, Tim Hortons restaurant owners and guests have been spreading smiles. The Smile Cookie campaign began in 1996 to help raise funds for the Hamilton Children’s Hospital in Ontario
• Nationally, Tim Hortons restaurant owners support over 550 local charities, hospitals and community programs through the Smile Cookie campaign
Visit TimHortons.ca/smile-cookie for a list of local charities benefiting from the Smile Cookie campaign.
