Tim Hortons benefits Maryvale

by Jolene Perron
The Tim Hortons Smile Cookies campaign has helped children in need this year.

The doughnut chain brought its Smile Cookie campaign to Windsor and Essex county for the first year. From Sept. 23 until Sept. 29, cookies iced with a smile were sold at Tim Hortons locations for $1.

The campaign began in Hamilton in 1996 to aid the Hamilton Children’s Hospital in keeping its doors open. The fundraiser caught on quickly and has been making its way across North America.

All of the proceeds from the campaign this year went to Maryvale Children’s Hospital. Connie Martin, executive director at Maryvale, said she is very pleased with the amount of support the community has given the campaign.

“This is the most fun campaign that anyone has put on for us and just so good on so many levels,” said Martin. “For people who wouldn’t normally think about kids with mental health problems they’re kind of hearing about it while they’re standing in line to get a cup of coffee.”

Martin said the coffee shop has been helping Maryvale for the past eight years.

Maryvale was started in 1929 by sisters of the Roman Catholic Order of the Good Shepherd. In most recent years, Maryvale has assisted more than 700 children as young as six years of age.

Martin said the proceeds will help them expand their services and reach more children.

“I think it’s great,” said Rachel Rene, a customer at Tim Hortons in Amherstburg. “The fact that they’re helping the kids is just amazing … I love that all the proceeds will go to them.”