Smile Cookie campaign kicks off in London

Smile Cookie Children’s Health Foundation Ambassador, Jack Stokes, 5, with mom, Alex Stokes. April 24, 2025. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)

The Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign launched in London Thursday.

This year it’s raising money for two local organizations that help families, including the family of Jack Stokes.

“Are you excited to decorate a cookie, and then eat it,” asked Alex Stokes, Jack’s mother.

The five year old is usually shy, but on this day, he was the centre of attention as the ambassador for the Children’s Health Foundation Smile Cookie campaign.

When Jack was born, nurses at Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre noticed he wasn’t breathing right. It turned out, the newborn had a congenital heart defect. Five years later, he’s happy and healthy, said Alex.

“Thanks to those nurses and the care at the hospital, they were able to catch that, which started a long journey of surgeries and procedures and whatnot. But because of that we’re here today and Jack is thriving and living a wonderful, busy little life as a five year old,” she explained.

Jack was joined by Dawson Gauthier, 13, a participant of ‘Investing in Children,’ in decorating the first Smile Cookies of this year’s Smile Cookie campaign. The campaign raises funds for both Investing in Children, and the Children’s Health Foundation (CHF).

CHF Director of Community Relations Jennifer Baxter said proceeds go towards purchasing vital equipment for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

“They come in, they don’t know what’s happening, they’re early, they have premature babies- babies that fit into hats that are this size. And they want to make sure that their child gets the best possible care. And the way to do that is to make sure that they have the best equipment. And we raise funds for that best equipment,” explained Baxter.

Investing in Children supports children with programs throughout the community, explained Executive Director Sarah Finch.

“The Smile Cookie campaign is supporting one of our favourite programs, which is our ‘HARK’ program, which stands for Healthy Active Resilient Kids. It’s a free after school program for grades six, seven, and eight. They always do a healthy cooking portion, physical activity, and then they talk about growth, mindset, and wellness,” said Finch.

Last year the campaign raised $300,000 locally. Organizers are hoping to better that this year.

“I think there’s so many people that come in and only want to buy the smile cookies because of the great cause that it is,” said Ashley Geraghty, who owns the Tim Hortons at Southdale Road West and Colonel Talbot Road, where the Smile Cookie campaign was launched.

“It can be completely far removed from their lives, but they’re willing to support and donate because they see how much it matters and they see the impact that it has on the families,” added Alex.

The Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign runs from April 28 to May 5, with Smile Cookies priced at $2 each.