HINTON – Tim Hortons locations across the Yellowhead region raised $16,905.93 for the Hinton and District SPCA during this year’s Smile Cookie campaign, which ran April 28 to May 4.
These five restaurants are in Edson, Hinton and Jasper.
Lyle Hryniuk, who owns and operates seven Tim Hortons restaurants throughout the region, explained that they had chosen a charity in each community for previous Smile Cookie campaigns.
“This year, we felt, the SPCA is something that we all support, and we figured if we amalgamated, it’s a bigger donation, and it’s probably something we’re going to do in the future is maybe pick a charity in Edson or Jasper or Hinton and give them a really good donation,” Hryniuk said.
During each year’s campaign, Tim Hortons customers can buy a special cookie where all proceeds go toward a local charity selected by restaurant owners.
Hryniuk described customers sometimes bought dozens of cookies at one time simply to support charities such as the Hinton SPCA.
“All of us support the SPCA and it’s a great charity, and they’re obviously very grateful for the donation,” he said. “It’s not just us making a donation. It’s guests stepping up and buying the Smile Cookies.”
Lendy McLeod, board member with the Hinton SPCA, said this was the second time that they received a Smile Cookie donation, and the funds raised this year will go directly toward the care of the animals.
“We were absolutely impressed with the amount that was raised,” McLeod said. “They’ve been big supporters of the SPCA, which we really appreciate.”
Partnering with the Alberta SPCA and Second Chance Animal rescue, the Hinton SPCA primarily takes in cats and dogs but sometimes accepts other animals in need. It has been at capacity for the past year and is the only SPCA between Kamloops, B.C. and Edmonton.
The Hinton SPCA also housed animals that were evacuated during the Jasper wildfire last year, working directly with the Jasper’s bylaw enforcement.
Across Canada, over $22.6 million was raised in this year’s Smile Cookie campaign, with all proceeds going to local charities. Since 1996, the initiative has raised over $130 million for charities and community groups.
