In a year where seniors have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, Tim Hortons has chosen to support them with a lot of smiles, and delicious ones at that.
From Sept. 13-19, 100 per cent of the proceeds from smile cookies sold at Huntsville’s three Tim Hortons locations will go to Muskoka Seniors, a local organization that supports seniors with a variety of programs including meal and grocery delivery and transportation.
“There are so many different organizations in town that do so much great work… the last 18 months have been so tricky,” said Tim Hortons franchise co-owner Jennifer McFadyen. “We’re happy to support Muskoka Seniors to try and keep seniors at home and healthy and safe as much as possible.”
The smile cookie campaign is celebrating its 25th year. In 2020, Tim Hortons locations across the country donated more than $10.5 million to charities in their areas. In Huntsville, last year’s campaign raised more than $10,000, a number McFadyen hopes to exceed this year.
Muskoka Seniors volunteers have been busy decorating cookies to help out with the effort.
The not-for-profit organization raises about 50 per cent of its operating budget via donations, fundraising, and community support, noted Jenn Pfrimmer, Muskoka Seniors executive director. “COVID has really impacted that over the last 20 months now, and so a lot of the efficiencies we were able to find and source as a not-for-profit have kind of gone out the window, so we’re getting more and more creative to use the funds that we have to continue servicing our seniors in the coummunity.”
Muskoka Seniors has several key programs, including transportation for medical appointments and errands, a frozen meals on wheels program that delivers about 7,500 meals per year locally, and a grocery delivery program for those who prefer to order their groceries online rather than shop in-store.
“We currently don’t have any waitlists for any of the programs, and that’s because we have a great crew of volunteers that are willing to support us and give their time day in and day out to make these programs happen, and then we’re able to use those funds to keep the services going [even with increased demand].”
Muskoka Seniors has been operating in Huntsville for more than 30 years, and Pfrimmer wants the community to know that they’re available to help. “We try to change and adjust according to what our landscape of community needs, so identifying some of the gaps and continuing to promote, encourage, inform our community members of what we do and how we can be here to support them.”
Initiatives like the smile cookie campaign both raise funds and help to raise awareness about what the organization has to offer.
The campaign kicked off on Sept. 13 with a cookie decorating blitz by Huntsville’s Deputy Mayor Nancy Alcock and local Conservative candidate, Scott Aitchison, helped by McFadyen’s children Callum and Brielle.
The smile cookie campaign runs from Sept. 13-19.
The Tim Hortons smile cookie campaign kicked off in Huntsville on Sept. 13 with (back from left) Muskoka Seniors staff Danica Armour and Karen Raaflaub, Tim Hortons franchise co-owners Jennifer and Morgan McFadyen, Conservative candidate Scott Aitchison, Deputy Mayor Nancy Alcock, Muskoka Seniors staff Sarah Caswell and Jenn Pfrimmer, and (in front) Callum and Brielle McFadyen. (Dawn Huddlestone)
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Debbie Kirwin says
Interesting that you say you offer services to seniors so that they can remain in their homes. What about seniors with mobility issues that require an accessible van for transportation for things such as doctors appointments. Not all seniors in Muskoka are serviced. Would like to see funds raised to “fill the gap”.
Jenn Pfrimmer says
Thanks Debbie for your comment. I know you often share your views on accessibility for our community which I have always appreciated. The challenge we face is sourcing sustainable funding in order to fill some of these larger ‘gaps’ you have commented on. Some gaps are able to be filled by offering free services with the help of our volunteers. Other gaps require increased funding so we can offer sustainable services for our seniors that they can rely on. Although we receive some funding through Ontario Health, it is only about 50% and there hasn’t been an increase to that funding in over a decade. It certainly presents its challenges when trying to keep up with the needs of our community.
I would welcome a conversation further on this if you’d like. Please call our office.