On April 29, 2024, the Tim Hortons on Talbot Street in Blenheim was alive with excitement as the annual Smile Cookie Campaign officially kicked off. Community leaders and advocates for student nutrition gathered alongside Tim Hortons staff to mark the beginning of a week-long initiative aimed at supporting local students.

This year’s campaign aims to raise funds to support student nutrition programs across Chatham-Kent.  With five Tim Hortons locations participating across Thamesville, Blenheim, Ridgetown, and Tilbury, the campaign’s impact on students within the St. Clair Catholic District School Board is far-reaching.

Proceeds from Smile Cookie sales will directly benefit over 10,000 students across 36 breakfast programs in 41 different schools in Chatham-Kent. An additional 1400 students will be supported through the Blenheim and Merlin School Breakfast Program. It’s a tangible demonstration of how a simple act, like purchasing a cookie, can make a difference in the lives of students.

A highlight of the launch event was a friendly cookie decorating competition. Rosanna Waldram, Ontario School Nutrition Program Lead for Chatham-Kent, and Eric Skillings, Treasurer of the Blenheim and Merlin School Breakfast Program, competed to see who could frost the fastest, adding an extra layer of fun and camaraderie to the day.

The campaign, on now until May 5th, invites community members to support local students by purchasing Smile Cookies from participating Tim Hortons locations.