Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign pulls in over $64,000 for ARCH, Twinkie Foundation (video)

Sault Tim Hortons franchisees and representatives of ARCH and the Twinkie Foundation gathered at the Tim Hortons location at the corner of Pine and McNabb Streets Thursday for a cheque presentation in support of those two organizations.

Local Tim Hortons locations pooled together and collected $64,630.60 in Smile Cookie sales, ARCH and the Twinkie Foundation each receiving an equal amount of $32,315.30 to support them in their services to the community.

ARCH is an end of life care facility, the Twinkie Foundation provides financial help for food, accommodations, travel and other expenses involved in medical trips for sick children.

“It’s that time of year when all the Smile Cookies have been gobbled up and we’re presenting cheques to two charities that are very close to our hearts,” said Craig Holub, who with wife Nicole, operates the Pine and McNabb Tim Hortons restaurant.

“The nice thing about these two charities is that they’re truly based here in Sault Ste. Marie which has always been our mandate as store owners (to support local charities). It’s just a great feeling (to help),” Holub said.

The annual Smile Cookie program runs Monday through Sunday during the third week of September.

All proceeds stay here in the Sault.

“Everyone who purchased a Smile Cookie obviously contributed to this great accomplishment,” Holub said.

“ARCH in particular has a place in our hearts. My mother-in-law passed away at ARCH and Ashleigh MacLeod’s husband Rick also passed away at ARCH (Ashleigh MacLeod being the franchisee of the Tim Hortons locations at Second Line West and Farwell Terrace and at Third Line and Great Northern Road).”

This year’s amount of $64,630.60 in Smile Cookie sales is a record, Holub said.

“(But) without the people of Sault Ste. Marie, our customers supporting us, we can’t give back to the community like we did, so it’s truly a team effort well beyond our stores. It also includes the people of Sault, so we thank them very much.”

“Today being a record in terms of funds generated, it’s onward and upward and see what the future brings us (for next year’s Smile Cookie fundraiser),” Holub said.

Twinkie Foundation representative Karen Lefave, well known for her community involvement, was unable to attend Thursday’s photo taking.