Tim Hortons is bringing smiles to Okanagan kids this week

KELOWNA – Helping a child in need is enough to make someone break out in a grin but now you can enjoy a treat at the same time! Starting today, from Sept. 14 to 20, Tim Hortons guests can purchase a freshly baked chocolate chunk Smile Cookie for $1 at participating restaurants throughout the Central Okanagan, and 100 per cent of the proceeds will be donated in support of YMCA Strong Kids Healthy Snack Program.

“We are proud of the joy that our annual Smile Cookie Campaign continues to bring to the community,” says Chris Chapman, Tim Hortons restaurant owner in Kelowna. “We are sharing smiles with our valued guests each time a cookie is purchased and it is an honour to support such a great cause that helps provide healthy snacks to local children in Y programs. Stop by your nearest Tim Hortons this week to help us share the smiles far and wide!”

In 2014, Tim Hortons restaurant owners and guests in Kelowna generously donated $32,000 to the Y’s Strong Kids Healthy Snacks program.

“These funds ensure that all children in YMCA Child Care programs throughout Kelowna and West Kelowna, have access to nutritious snacks in their daily diet,” says Colleen Keeler, Child Care Manager Early Years. “We have many kids in our programs who come to us without eating breakfast in the morning or without adequate snacks throughout the day. Some parents cannot afford to provide their kids with proper nutrition, and these dollars help to ensure every child has access to the sustenance that helps them learn, grow and thrive.”

This campaign started as a way to fundraise for the Hamilton Children’s Hospital in 1996 and has since grown into a major fundraiser supporting hundreds of charities throughout North America­–raising $5 million dollars for various charities in 2014. In Canada alone, over 500 charities were supported.

To further engage our community, Tim Hortons Okanagan locations are asking people to spread the joy by joining the #SmileCookie conversation on Twitter and Facebook. Follow and use this hashtag when supporting this campaign throughout the week.