Smile Cookies are back.
From Sept. 19 to 25, when you buy a Smile Cookie at any of the Tim Hortons locations in Bradford, 100 per cent of the proceeds go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel York.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel York is proud to be chosen as a 2022 Tim Hortons Smile Cookie partner.
“A big thank you to the Bradford Tim Hortons locations for selecting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel York as their Smile Cookie partner. By buying a Smile Cookie you will be helping provide mentors for young people in York Region who are facing adversity. Our goal is to provide all youth in need with a mentor to support them, expand their possibilities and help them realize their full potential. Together one Smile Cookie at a time we are making a difference," said Shari Lynn Ladanchuk, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel York.
The Smile Cookie campaign has been running for the past 26 years across the country, with $1 from every cookie sold during the third week in September helping to support hundreds of charities and community programs.
For the past seven years, the proceeds from the cookies sold at the four Bradford Tim Hortons locations have been donated to the local CHATS ((Community & Home Assistance to Seniors) organization. In 2020, the funds raised by the campaign helped the organization purchase a new wheelchair-accessible van, which transports clients to and from appointments. Last year in Bradford, the Smile Cookie campaign raised $11,389 for CHATS.
In previous years, the Bradford Tim Hortons' have donated the funds to other organizations like the Optimist Club and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. This year, Bradford Tim Hortons' franchise owner Perry Thornton decided to switch things up and donate the cookie sales to Big Brother Big Sisters York Peel.
"It's such a good event, every year it's grown," he said about the campaign.
Thornton said he usually gets orders for cookies the weekend before the campaign from many supportive community members and local businesses.
"We got a lot of staff that come in and do extra work because it takes extra time decorating (the cookies).... but staff jump on board with what we are doing," he said.
In 2021, $12 million was raised across Canada from Smile Cookie sales, supporting local charities.
For more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel York, visit www.bbbspeelyork.ca.
