Smile cookie campaign returns to support local charities
The iconic Tim Hortons smile cookie campaign kicked off Monday for its first-ever spring campaign.
100 per cent of the proceeds from each cookie are donated to support local charities and community groups hand-picked by Tim Hortons restaurant owners.
The money raised in Barrie will go towards the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre's birthing unit and Hospice Simcoe.
"Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to Tim Hortons, as its Smile Cookie Campaign will support a state-of-the-art expansion of our Birthing Unit so the more than 2,000 babies born at RVH every year and their families have more space to receive the specialized care they need in the first few days of baby's life," said RVH Foundation CEO Pamela Ross in a press release.
"The need for end-of-life care and bereavement support programs is greater than ever," said Hospice Simcoe Executive Director Kelly Hubbard. "Proceeds from this wonderful initiative allow us to continue to provide those services to hundreds of people in our community, and we are very grateful."
Smile Cookie has raised over $77 million across North America since 1996, and last year alone raised a record $15 million.
Each cookie is $1.50 plus tax. The campaign runs until May 7th.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

PM Trudeau apologizes for Parliament's recognition of Nazi veteran during Zelenskyy visit
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered 'unreserved apologies' Wednesday for Parliament's recognition of a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War and said the Canadian government has reached out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the wake of the incident.
Feds, Quebec set to make major EV battery production announcement Thursday
The governments of Quebec and Canada are set to make a major announcement about the electric vehicle manufacturing supply chain, and rumours have been swirling for weeks a Swedish battery developer and manufacturer could be setting up shop in McMasterville, which is about 30km from Montreal.
IED believed to be on vehicle in Barrie, Ont. parking lot explodes, sparking evacuations and road closures
Police have locked down and evacuated a section of Barrie, Ont., Wednesday morning in the city's west end amid unconfirmed reports of an explosion.
Judge Chutkan denies Trump's request to recuse herself in federal election subversion case
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan said Wednesday she won't recuse herself from Donald Trump's 2020 election interference case in Washington, rejecting the former president's claims that her past comments raise doubts about whether she can be fair.
Researchers say action could have prevented thousands of premature cancer deaths in women in 2020
Prevention could have prevented nearly seven in 10 premature cancer deaths among women worldwide in 2020, new research has found.
These magnetic building blocks are being recalled due to an ingestion hazard: Health Canada
Some magnetic building blocks are being recalled by Health Canada as they do not meet the magnetic force requirements and pose ingestion hazards for children.
Hyundai, Kia recall over 600,000 cars in Canada, drivers told to park away from buildings due to fire risk
Hyundai and Kia have issued a recall for several vehicle models and are urging drivers to park away from buildings due to the risk that the issue could start a fire.
Over 50 arrested after mobs ransacked Philadelphia stores. Dozens of liquor outlets are shut down
Dozens of people faced criminal charges Wednesday after a night of social media-fueled mayhem in which groups of thieves, apparently working together, smashed their way into stores in several areas of Philadelphia, stuffing plastic bags with merchandise and fleeing, authorities said.
'ET Canada' cancelled by Corus Entertainment, blames 'challenging' advertising market
The studio lights are going dark at 'ET Canada.' Corus Entertainment says it has decided to cease production on the long-running Canadian arts and entertainment news magazine after 18 seasons.