Smile cookie campaign returns to support Yorkton cancer initiatives

The Brayden Ottenbreit Close Cuts for Cancer Foundation is partnering with Tim Horton's in Yorkton to raise funds for their cancer-related initiatives. (Fruzsina De Cloedt/CTV News)

The Brayden Ottenbreit Close Cuts for Cancer Foundation is partnering with Tim Horton’s in Yorkton to raise funds for its cancer-related initiatives.

“We are very happy to have been chosen again this year. This is our ninth year partnering with Tim Horton’s, and every penny raised will go toward our Local Cancer Initiatives program,” Leone Ottenbreit told CTV News on Monday.

Leone is the co-founder of Brayden Ottenbreit Close Cuts for Cancer, a foundation she started with her husband, Greg, to honour the memory of their five-year-old son, who passed away from cancer in 2000.

The charity helps out cancer patients and their families by funding stays at the Regina Cancer Patient Lodge and Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon, in addition to providing funds to Camp Circle of Friends - just to name a few.

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Additionally, as part of the Cancer Champions program, the foundation ensures that every child receiving cancer treatment in Saskatchewan receives a chemotherapy-accessible shirt at the beginning of their treatment.

“And a trophy to celebrate the completion,” Leone added.

In the nine years Close Cuts has partnered with Tim Horton’s, the campaign has raised approximately $88,000.

“If we can get past that $100,000 mark this year, that would be fabulous. We never want to set goals that leave us disappointed, but we know the community will join us and support this in the way they always have in the past,” Leone explained.

“The impact locally will definitely be felt by [Tim Horton’s’] contribution and their willingness to partner with our organization and support those causes right here in Yorkton,” Greg Ottenbreit told CTV News.

Vishal Sharma, who manages the Tim Hortons, says they are not the only business involved to lend a helping hand.

“I believe we will raise more than $20,000 this year,” Sharma shared, adding the smile cookie campaign brings great energy to his business.

“There are people all around, and there are volunteers. It’s just a really nice environment here,” he said with a smile.

The Smile Cookie Campaign runs from April 27 to May 3.