Streams Community Hub to receive Smile Cookie Funds this year

Written By PAULA BROWN

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

Streams Community Hub in Shelburne is hoping to spread some smiles and holiday cheer this season as a recipient of the Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie fundraiser. 

The fundraiser, which runs until Nov. 24, will see 100 per cent of the proceeds from each Holiday Smile Cookie sold in Shelburne go towards helping support Streams Community Hub and Tim Hortons Foundation Camps. 

“Tim Hortons is a huge organization so to be recognized as an adequate recipient is a great opportunity and honour,” said Andrew James, co-founder and president of Streams Community Hub. 

The funds raised through the Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie campaign have been slated for two Streams Community Hub initiatives – the purchase of a 15-seat van and program scholarships.  

Streams has applied for a $50,000 grant called the Commonwell L.e.a.f Grant, and if successful in receiving they will use the funds from the Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie campaign to help with the complete purchase of a 15-seat van. The van will be used to shuttle youth from school to the Streams Community Hub building for after-school programs. 

If the local youth arts charity does not receive the $50,000 grant, the funds raised through the Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie campaign will instead be directed to scholarship funding to help kids access and attend the arts programs at Streams. 

“This funding is extremely significant for us because we can use these funds in an unrestricted way, whereas with most grants that we have access to and apply for are project grants we have to use in specific ways,” explained Juli-Anne James, co-founder and executive director of Streams Community Hub. “The funding that we're able to raise from members of the public who support our cause really helps us to keep the doors open and the lights on.” 

Tim Hortons first began the Smile Cookie campaign in 1996 to help raise funds for the Hamilton Children's Hospital and has kept it going to help raise funds for community charities. Since its inception, the Smile Cookie program has raised over $129 million nationwide for charities and community groups. 

In 2023, Tim Hortons expanded the Smile Cookie campaign with a holiday twist. The Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie is a white chocolate sugar cookie infused with red and green sprinkles and hand-decorated with a white icing smile face. 

The inaugural Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie campaign raised $9.8 million from coast to coast with the funds donated to over 600 charities and community groups. 

“This is a wonderful way to get something sweet and delicious in return for your contributions. Don't underestimate the value of your contribution in purchasing a smile cookie; every cookie that you purchase or share really helps us advance our charitable mission. It's not an insignificant contribution,” said James.

As part of the Holiday Smile Cookie campaign, Streams Community Hub will be hosting a giveaway of a $100 Tim Hortons gift card. Those interested in entering the draw can learn more on Stream's Facebook and Instagram accounts. 

To learn more about the local youth-focused arts center and the programs they have available, visit www.streamshub.org.