By Shane Clausing

Community

Tim Hortons kicks off Smile Cookie campaign

Sep 10, 2020 | 1:03 PM

Tim Hortons has officially kicked off its Smile Cookie Campaign.

An official kickoff took place today at the downtown Tim Hortons on 100 Street. Ken Sargent GMC Buick, Sean Sargent Toyota and the Sargent Family Foundation purchased 20,000 cookies to giveaway to every school in Grande Prairie.

Sean Sargent, the Dealer Principal for Ken Sargent GMC Buick and Sean Sargent Toyota, is in his eighth year of purchasing and donating the Smile Cookies.

“One hundred per cent of each dollar that you buy from the Smile Cookies goes to the Hospital Foundation, which in turn is going to the new children’s ward in the new hospital. We feel great that we buy 20,000 cookies for all the schools, plus we feel good when we deliver all these cookies.

“We spend a week and deliver all these cookies to all the schools in Grande Prairie and area, then the kids and the teachers all feel good getting them as well.”

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The cookies are delivered in a van that is almost a replica of the van from the movie ‘The A-Team.’ According to Sargent, it’s something all of the teachers and kids look forward to seeing.

Sargent is hoping that the generosity of the donation can rub off on future generations.

“Hopefully it teaches the young kids in schools about donating and giving back to your community in any way they can, and hopefully that’s something they’ll take with them as they get older and they’ll want to donate their time, energy and money in different ways to help the community out.”

While most of the cookies will go towards schools, Sargent also mentioned that they’re willing to drop cookies off at other publicly owned facilities like fire halls, police stations and EMT headquarters.

Serge Allard is the owner of the downtown Tim Hortons and says it’s great to see such a generous donation. He adds that it’s a real team effort in helping make the order of 20,000 cookies a reality.

“It goes with a lot of people pitching in at our store level, and (putting) lots of smiles on eyes on cookies and a lot of labour. Everybody on our team pitches in and organizes it and does a great job.”

Allard says all of the Tim Hortons locations in the city help make the 20,000 cookies.

“Who benefits are the children in our community,” said Shannon Stambaugh with the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation. “Last year our community was so generous we raised over $62,000 and this year, I know it’s a different year, but I know that people really care and want to support their community and this is a really fun a simple way to help out.”

The amount raised last year was a record.

Stambaugh mentioned that while it would be great to reach that $62,000 again this year, they’re happy with any amount of money that they will be able to fundraise as it will benefit children.

Tim Hortons will begin selling the Smile Cookies from September 14 through September 20.