Red Deerians gathered at the Timberlands Tim Hortons to celebrate Smile Cookie Day.
This event was held on Saturday, May 3 as part of the annual Smile Cookie campaign, where Tim Hortons locations across the country sold $2 chocolate chunk cookies with the pink eyes and blue smiles.
All campaign proceeds from Red Deer locations went towards Reading College, a project of the Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools.
"We're super grateful to everyone in Red Deer who has come out to buy cookies," said Tanya Doucette, local Tim Hortons restaurant owner.
This year's Smile Cookie Day celebration featured an opportunity for families to interact with first responders. Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School teacher Jason Zackowski was also there conducting science experiments. Doucette noted this was Red Deer's biggest Smile Cookie Day celebration.
Reading College was one of more than 600 charities across Canada supported through the Smile Cookie campaign, which ran from April 28 to May 4. Reading College works with students who just finished Grade 2 and are struggling with reading and writing. During the month of July, the students are instructed by three master teachers and five recent graduates from the education program at Red Deer Polytechnic.
"Through Grade 2, kids are learning how to read. From Grade 3 and beyond, they're reading to learn in all of their subjects. If they fall behind as they're transitioning from Grade 2 to Grade 3, they can end up behind in all of their schooling years," Doucette noted.
"The kids come out of Reading College as readers for life. It transforms their academic future and sets them up for so much success in their lives. We're thrilled to partner with them again this year."
Sue Carmichael, Reading College's reading co-ordinator, said Reading College leaves a lasting impact on students.
"Not only do we set out to increase their reading level, but we also have a goal of increasing their confidence," explained Carmichael.
"That's something we see in spades by the time the summer's done. ... By the end, these kids know they have improved. You can see their self-confidence has grown, as well as their reading level. There's nothing as beautiful as that."
Fundraisers like the Smile Cookie campaign are "essential" to Reading College.
"We 100 per cent couldn't do this without support from sponsors (and the community)," said Carmichael.
This year, Reading College will introduce ESL (English as a Second Language) classes.
"This is for kids who have moved to Canada who are struggling with English. This is a pilot project, but we're super excited for it. The goal is also to move their reading level up," Carmichael said.
