Okotokians raise over $16,000 during Smile Cookie Week

Okotokians really come through for Baby It’s Cold Outside (BCO) during the latest Smile Cookie Week.

From April 29 to May 5, 2024, the sale of smile cookies at Tim Hortons locations would benefit local non-profits and charity organizations, with BCO seeing support from cookie sales in Okotoks' two Tim's locations.

BCO's marketing director, Jody Seeley, says there were a lot of smiles going around that week.

“The total, and it blows my mind to think about, is 10,754 cookies sold. And along with Smile Cookie Week, people have the opportunity to give cash donations or buy buttons through the week. When all the donations were added up, it was $16,207.65 raised through Smile Cookie Week and we are just over the moon about it.”

It’s quite an increase from the $8,816 raised during December’s Holiday Smile Cookie Week, which also supported BCO.

The funds will contribute to BCO’s efforts to provide Foothills residents in need with access to basic necessities and mental health support.

Seeley says it’s clear that locals are eager to contribute to that goal.

“Any time you have an opportunity to help a charity it feels good, but when you know the money is staying in your community, it’s that much more inspiring.”

These kinds of events are huge for BCO.

“We don’t receive any government funding or support on that level, so everything that we do is 100 per cent community raised. People have no idea how incredible it was to get that $16,000 so that we can continue to do what we do in the community by helping people when they need a hand up,” explains Seeley.

An estimated 20 volunteers gave their time to help decorate cookies for the fundraiser over the course of three days.