The annual Holiday Smile Cookie campaign has launched nationwide. In Greater Sudbury, all local Tim Hortons locations are uniting to support the Children’s Aid Society of the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin and the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps. The initiative, which commenced today and runs until Nov. 23, sees 100 per cent of the proceeds from the festive iced cookies donated directly to the two youth-focused charities. “Smile Cookie is a wonderful program because you get to buy a cookie and support a wonderful charity that is local,” said Marian Mackenzie, a local Tim Hortons franchise owner who initiated a cookie-decorating contest to mark the campaign’s start. “The Children’s Aid is our charity of choice this year. 50 per cent of the proceeds will go to the Children’s Aid, and 50 per cent will go to our own Tim Hortons Children’s Foundation. So, 100per cent of the proceeds are donated.” Community leaders rally behind the cause The campaign’s launch drew immediate support from community leaders and organizations, who turned out to purchase cookies and decorate their own. Greater Sudbury Police Service Chief Sarah Cunningham was among the first in line. “We preordered 10 boxes. Of course, to support, and I might have just stuck another box to take home with me for my family,” said Cunningham. She emphasized the importance of investing in the community’s young people. “Anything that’s going to promote healthy, active youth in our community, anything that’s going to support our youth, we know they’re our future, and so that’s why I’m here,” Cunningham said. Representatives from Sudbury Wolves Sports and Entertainment also expressed their enthusiasm for the partnership. “We may or may not have bought a couple of dozen, but we’re very excited because we got some surprises coming throughout the week with Howler,” said SWSE’s Julia Williams. Overwhelming demand for festive treats The public response to the campaign’s first day was immediate and robust, putting Tim Hortons staff into high gear to keep shelves stocked with the smiling treats. Mackenzie reported a rapidly escalating demand that required a swift production response. “Oh, goodness! We’re expecting to decorate into the thousands,” she said. “Yes, we started off with a thousand this morning and now they’re quickly making more because they’re we’re going through them very quickly.” National initiative with local impact The holiday-specific iteration of the Smile Cookie campaign began nationally in 2023. Since its inception, the national campaign has raised $20.5 million for local charities, community groups and Tim Hortons Foundation camps. For local beneficiaries like the Children’s Aid Society, the impact is profoundly felt. “This is truly going to be able to help our families continue to thrive,” said Children’s Aid Society board chair Glenn Thibeault. “With the generosity of, you know, Sudbury and area, we’re pretty excited to be part of this.” That sentiment of local pride and purpose was echoed throughout the campaign kick-off. “We love it if everybody could support local,” said Williams. “The fact that the smile cookie campaign this year is going directly to Children’s Aid Society, and of course, the Tim Hortons Foundation, is just perfect for Sudbury.”
