It’s Smile Cookie week for all Tim Hortons franchises, and once again all four Tim Hortons’ locations in Bradford are donating the proceeds from the sale of the chocolate chunk cookies back to local CHATS organization (Community & Home Assistance to Seniors).
This is the sixth year that Perry Thornton, owner of all Bradford Tim Hortons’ (and two Newmarket locations), has committed to the organization through the sale of the cookies which was only supposed to last five years. Thornton decided to extend that commitment into another year.
“We had a deal with CHATS for a five-year commitment… but with Covid and everything going on, we thought, let’s do it another year and move forward with that,” he said.
The Smile Cookie campaign has been running for the past 25 years and continues across Canada every year for one week in September, supporting hundreds of charities and community programs across the country.
In 2020, despite the ongoing Covid-saga, the Smile Cookie campaign raised a record-breaking $10.56 million dollars across Canada, supporting over 635 different charities and community groups from coast to coast.
“It’s amazing how many people come through and ask ‘where’s the money going to?’,” shares Thornton.
“It’s nice when you have a national company that’s giving back locally,” adds Angela Endicott, marketing, communications & fund development coordinator for CHATS. “Then people can put a finger on where the money is going.”
Endicott shares the money raised from Thornton’s stores go specifically to CHATS Bradford programs and last year, the funds raised by the campaign helped the organization finally purchase a new wheelchair-accessible van.
“I personally know four or five families where if CHATS didn’t have this service, it would be very hard,” says Bradford West Gwillimbury (BWG) Coun. Raj Sandhu, noting that safe and reliable transportation for CHATS’ clients is very important. “I know it makes a lot of difference… it’s funding for a great cause!”
CHATS is a not-for-profit organization that provides community services for seniors and their caregivers. The Bradford location is averaging approximately 90 new clients a month. Their transportation system, ‘meals on wheels’, and Adult Day Programs (ADP) are all back up and running again.
All programs have been adapted to provide a safe and socially distanced environment, with ongoing virtual programs still available for those who remain at home.
The Smile Cookie campaign continues this week until Sept. 19 where all BWG Tim Hortons’ locations will continue to donate $1 from every freshly-baked Smile Cookie purchased back to the local CHATS.
“If I’m going to have an annual cookie, it’s going to be a Smile Cookie from a Tim Hortons in Bradford,” said BWG Coun. Gary Lamb.
For a full list of local charities and community groups benefiting from Tim Hortons annual Smile Cookie campaign, visit here. Guests can also share how they are supporting the annual campaign by using the hashtag #SmileCookie on social media.
