Kingstonians and local Tim Hortons restaurants have something huge to celebrate!

During another successful Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign this past September, the Kingston community raised a record-breaking total of $156,806 in support of Kingston Health Sciences Centre’s (KHSC) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
 
"We did it! We could not have done it without our community’s support,” says Nathan and Kylee Moore, Tim Hortons Restaurant owners. “Our hard-working team members amaze us every year. This year, our store on Innovation Drive in Kingston was one of the top 10 in Smile Cookie sales in Eastern Ontario. I think we speak for all store owners when we say we are grateful for your continued support. Thank you to every guest who bought a cookie or a dozen!”
 
Locally, Tim Hortons restaurant owners have been directing Smile Cookie proceeds to the NICU at KHSC for 18 years. Last year, they raised a record $150,000, bringing their total contributions to KHSC to over $1 million. 
 
“At the kick-off this year, no goal was announced, but everyone wondered if they could do that again,” says Ashley Montroy, Board Member, UHKF. “Our community pleasantly surprised us and raised another record-breaking total. From the owners to staff to all the people who purchased cookies, thank you to everyone who supported this campaign. The Smile Cookie Campaign is a wonderful example of our community coming together to help support some of the tiniest patients at KHSC and their loved ones.”
 
“This gift will allow our team to continue to provide state-of-the-art care right here in Kingston,” says Dr. Robert Connelly, Neonatologist and Department Head of Pediatrics at KHSC. “Thank you to everyone who helped make this Smile Cookie campaign the best year yet. Tim Hortons and the Kingston community amaze us with their support year after year. It is incredibly meaningful not only because it supports the small babies in the NICU, but it supports families too—thank you!”
 
At the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie reveal on November 25, UHKF was joined by a few NICU alumni and grateful parents.
 
“In 1997, I was born at 28-weeks and had to stay in the NICU at Kingston General Hospital for three months. I was very sick and my parents did not think I would make it,” says Jensen Murphy, NICU Alumni. “Hearing about many local families who have benefitted from the NICU at KHSC is inspiring. It has specifically inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. Without the skilled staff and exceptional care, I may not be here today. Thank you for saving my life!”
 
Tim Hortons restaurant owners and guests across Canada celebrated the 25th anniversary of the annual Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign, held September 13 to 19, 2021, by raising more than $12 million, a new record. Since the program started in 1996, the annual charitable campaign has raised more than $77 million for charities selected every year by restaurant owners.