Kingstonians raised another record-breaking total of $150,000 through this year’s Tim Hortons annual Smile Cookie campaign. The pandemic did not stop Kingston from showing their support of Kingston Health Sciences Centre’s (KHSC) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

This year marks a significant milestone for our local Tim Hortons restaurants. More than $1 million has been donated to KHSC after nearly two decades of enthusiastic support! Proceeds from the annual campaign support the purchase of life-saving equipment and the redevelopment of KHSC’s NICU.
 
"Your support is inspiring, Kingston,” says Sherri Agnew, Tim Hortons restaurant owner. "This year was a very different campaign than previous years, but our hard-working team members and guests stepped up for an important cause. Thank you so much for your continued support!”
 
“Kingstonians are incredibly supportive of this campaign,” says Wayne Owens, Board Chair, UHKF. “The secret ingredient to Smile Cookie’s success is, and always has been, the incredible energy and commitment of owners, managers and front line staff who go above and beyond the call of duty to make Kingston one of the best in the nation, on a per capita basis, for Smile Cookie sales.”

UHKF was joined by a few NICU alumni and grateful parents at the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie reveal on October 22.
 
“Brooklyn was born 28 weeks prematurely on January 25, 2011. I had to have an emergency caesarian section,” says Michelle Tryon. “The care team had to give her five blood transfusions to keep her alive. Brooklyn also had a brain bleed which meant she might never walk again. She is now 9-years-old and loves running, gymnastics and figure skating! Thank you to nurses and doctors for saving our Miracle Baby’s life!”
 
“Our medical team strives to ensure all babies in our care have the best possible start in life,” says Dr. Robert Connelly, Neonatologist and Department Head of Pediatrics at KHSC. “The generosity from Tim Hortons and our community will allow our teams to continue to provide family-centred care for years to come.”

“On behalf of UHKF, I want to thank everyone involved in the Smile Cookie campaign – from customers to volunteers to the restaurant owners and team members,” says Sue Creasy, Campaign Chair at UHKF. “It takes a lot of people to make Smile Cookie week a success, and to keep our community engaged and coming back year after year. Thank you for your contribution!”