Record-Breaking Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign brings $56,740 in smiles and snacks for YMCA Child Care.
A record-breaking number of Smile Cookies were sold locally during the 25th Annual Tim Hortons Smile Cookie week, resulting in a $56,740 donation in support of the YMCA of Okanagan’s Child Care Programs. The campaign, which ran for one week in September, saw tens of thousands of Tim Hortons customers purchase a smile cookie in support of this great cause.
“We are extremely grateful to our community for coming together during these difficult times,” says local store owners Lori & Travis Olvsik and Angelo & Dawn Fiacco. “Our team members are honoured to be able to deliver this donation to help the YMCA provide nutritious food to all the children in their care, many of whom live in poverty.”
Local Tim Hortons stores have been supporting the YMCA Healthy Snack Program through their Smile Cookie Campaign since 2013. Their donation ensures over 500 children participating in Y preschool or out of school care programs will receive a daily nutritious snack every day. 100% of Smile Cookie donations go directly to the YMCA’s Child Care Healthy Snacks Program.
“It is critical that all children in our care get a daily healthy snack to help them grow and thrive,” states Danielle Miranda, YMCA Child Care General Manager. “Sadly, many kids in our programs come to us hungry and now, more than ever, we are seeing an increased need by those most impacted by the pandemic.”
YMCA of Okanagan operates preschool and child care programs at nine locations across Kelowna and West Kelowna, serving more than 100,000 healthy snacks per year. Providing YMCA subsidized child care to families in need, the Y relies on donations to ensure all children can participate in their programs, regardless of income.