In a whirlwind of activities from April 29 to May 5, the inaugural Smile Cookie Week orchestrated by Altona Tim Horton’s managed to put smiles on countless faces.
Nina Edbom-Kehler, coordinator of the Altona and Area Family Resource Centre (AAFRC), reflected on the event’s success, even amidst its challenges, as she accepted a cheque for $16,062 from franchise owner Rupesh Patel and his team.
“It was quite a week, but incredibly rewarding. We had a blast,” she remarked, acknowledging the immense effort put in by the AAFRC and its devoted volunteers.
Patel echoed her sentiments, stressing the crucial role of volunteers in smaller communities like theirs, where every $1.50 cookie sold makes a difference.
“We have good volunteers,” he said. “That’s very important right there, especially in smaller towns. We can ask every single guest coming through our storefront, that’s one cookie, two cookies at a time. When the volunteers get out and approach businesses, they bring big orders. Like four or five hundred [cookies].”
The volunteers, ranging from retirees to enthusiastic participants from Access Credit Union and Manitoba Sunflower Festival Queen Quest contestants, were instrumental in decorating, packaging, and delivering pre-ordered cookie boxes.
“I got to put on a couple of smiles. I wanted to do more smiles but usually, I had to do the running around, getting more icing, that kind of thing,” noted Edbom-Kehler.
The Smile Cookie campaign not only raised funds but also cast a spotlight on the AAFRC, a vital part of the community for over 25 years. Edbom-Kehler utilized the opportunity to engage with patrons at the restaurant, spreading awareness about the centre’s mission and services.
“It was great when we had all the cookies stacked in there. We had so many people come by and say, ‘Where are they all going?’ And then you have the conversation,” she said.
“People often ask what we do here, assuming we’re government funded. But no, we rely on partnerships and community support for everything we offer,” she explained. “Our programs are open to all families with preschoolers, whether they’re grandparents, aunts, uncles, or neighbors.”
Looking ahead, she envisions greater community visibility for the AAFRC, should they be fortunate enough to participate in another Smile Cookie campaign. While grants support programming and equipment, funding for staffing remains a challenge.
“We need people for our programs—to talk, to play. Sometimes, all it takes is a cardboard box for endless fun. It’s not about fancy equipment; it’s about human connection,” Edbom-Kehler emphasized. “The proceeds from Smile Cookie Week will help us sustain our staffing and continue offering invaluable experiences for families in our community.”
Morris campaign raises $20k
Tim Horton’s Smile Cookies also made a big impact in supporting phase two of the Willow Park project in Morris.
Willow Park is the handiwork of Janice Graydon and Melissa Lamotte, which resulted in the revitalization of a small play area existing beside the Morris ball diamonds on the south end of town. The inclusive and accessible space opened last summer and is one of the largest playgrounds in Manitoba.
“The completed phase one has been achieving the goals of attracting many visitors from surrounding communities to Morris to enjoy that amenity,” shared Graydon. “The number one feedback we get from residents and visitors is the high level of need for washroom facilities to support that space.”
Phase Two includes a picnic shelter for 120 people with a BBQ rental area, canteen, water station, and two family-sized washrooms. Several picnic tables and benches will also be on site. The goal is to have this phase of the project completed in the summer of 2025.
“We are very excited to get the second phase built and are so grateful for all our sponsors who have been critical in the success thus far,” Graydon said. “We are grateful to all the volunteers who helped make the Smile Cookie drive a success.”
“The Morris Smile Cookie campaign went extremely well this year,” noted Patel. “We made over $20,000. We were hoping to match or exceed last year’s number of over $24,000, but this is still an incredible amount.”
He added, “Even as a smaller community, Morris has always shown incredible support for local causes. The teamwork Janice and Melissa had was great. I can’t thank them enough.”
