NANAIMO — An annual sweet treat fundraiser in the name of improving regional primary healthcare is back.
Tim Hortons’ annual Smile Cookie campaign involving specially decorated chocolate chunk cookies sold at all Nanaimo Tim’s locations between Monday, April 27 and Sunday, May 3, to support the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation (NDHF).
At a Friday, April 24, Smile Cookie campaign kickoff event, foundation director Cody Dreger said the annual tradition has provided key financial aid.
“Us at a hospital foundation are so lucky to have such great donors and people who support us, who help support the hospital. The funds raised go towards underfunded departments and equipment in the hospital,” Dreger told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Cody Dreger and NRGH clinical operations director Rebecca McGregor skillfully decorate smile cookies at a Friday, April 27 campaign kickoff event. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
One hundred per cent of proceeds from the $2.00 cookies go directly to the NDHF.
Over $50,000 from this year’s campaign is hoped to be raised.
Since 2010, the foundation states the popular campaign has generated over $280,000 for the NDHF.
Dreger said the campaign has supported several key Nanaimo hospital priorities over the years, including diagnostic equipment and operating room enhancements.
“Having a company as big as Tim Hortons get behind a local cause is huge,” Dreger emphasized. “People go and get their double-double in the morning and grab themselves a smile cookie, with 100 per cent going to the hospital foundation here in town, it’s fantastic.”
More details about the NDHF, including the ability to make online donations, are available here.
Tim Hortons’ Smile Cookie movement supports over 600 charities and community organizations annually, including Oceanside Hospice Society via the Tim’s location at 494 Island Hwy East in Parksville.
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