Tim Hortons’ first-ever Holiday Smile Cookie Campaign is underway in 100 Mile House from Nov. 13-19.
The proceeds of the campaign will be split 50/50 between its charity of choice, the South Cariboo Health Foundation and Tim Horton’s Children’s Foundation for local children to go to camp.
“We’re happy that we can help the Health Foundation this year. In the summer, we help the local foodbank,” said franchise owner Chad Lecompte.
If all goes well, Tim Hortons will most likely hold two cookie campaigns each year, he said.
Two hundred of the white chocolate sugar cookies were sold on the first morning of the campaign. Lecompte said on the off chance they were to run out of the winter cookies during the campaign they would supplement with the chocolate chunk used during the summer.
Many of the area schools support the campaign. So far this year, Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School, 100 Mile Elementary and Lac La Hache Elementary School have all placed orders for 100 cookies. Lecompte asked anyone needing bulk cookie orders to call it in beforehand so they have enough on hand to meet their regular sales.
Lecompte said they are donating hot chocolate to the Starry Nights light-up in recognition of all the volunteers involved in the event.
“We always try and support the community in any way we can whether it’s helping with donations of product or these national programs,” he said.
Several healthcare foundation board members were on hand for the first day of sales including president Richard Bullen, fundraising coordinator Brenda Devine and directors Chris Nickless, Dr. Omer, Lynn Olsen and Donna Barnett.
The money received from the Smile Cookie campaign will go to the Starry Nights fundraiser, said Devine.
The South Cariboo Health Foundation was created to support the local community and ensure equipment and resources are available to meet the needs of patients now and in the future. It is funded solely through public donations and 100 per cent of all money raised stays in the community.
This year’s Starry Night light-up will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18 on the grounds of the 100 Mile District General Hospital.
