Red Deerians consumed about 40,000 Tim Hortons' Smile Cookies to raise more money than ever before — $80,773 — for an annual summer literacy program to help local Grade 2 students.
"It's unbelievable. It's quite extraordinary the support we've had from the community," said Tanya Doucette, who is among the six Tim Hortons owner groups in Red Deer that support the annual Smile Cookie campaign.
From April 28 to May 4, Red Deer locations sold the $2 chocolate chunk cookies with pink eyes and blue smiles, with proceeds going to Reading College, a Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools project. Held during July at Red Deer Polytechnic, Reading College provides students with comprehensive support to develop their reading skills as well as their interest and motivation to read.
"For me, it's my favourite time of year in the restaurants. What's better than raising money that's going to stay right in your own community, supporting worthwhile causes and important groups that need our support," said Doucette at the Smile Cookie announcement held at Mattie McCullough Elementary School on Monday.
Since cookies only cost $2 each, it gives more people an opportunity to give back to their community, she added.
"Everyone can contribute, and when everyone does a little something, it moves us all forward in a big way."
Sue Carmichael, Reading College program co-ordinator, said the money raised will cover most of the cost to run Reading College this year for 77 students who will be divided into nine classrooms, including a pilot English As An Additional Language classroom.
She said adding the pilot program to assist students with their English reading skills was something Reading College had been considering, with more families moving to Red Deer.
"I think it will be terrific to catch these kids up. We're really excited about that," Carmichael said about the pilot.
She said Reading College is a game-changer that can alter the direction of students' lives by improving their reading and self-confidence.
A recent Red Deer Polytechnic and Red Deer Public Schools research project showed 78 per cent of students who participated in Reading College in 2023 showed incredible improvement, with sustained growth.
"That's huge. I see those kids all the time. Their parents are super excited, they're super excited, because it has changed their life."
