Andrew’s Legacy marks 10 years with another successful Smile Cookie campaign

The Andrew’s Legacy and Thamesford Tim Hortons team pose with Smile Cookies during the 2025 campaign that took place from April 28 to May 4. (Contributed photo)

Connor Luczka, Echo Correspondent

On May 11 ten years ago, Cara Schmidt saw her son Andrew collapse while playing soccer in Kintore. There was no defibrillator on site, and no defibrillator in the nearby school.

“And unfortunately, because this piece of equipment wasn’t there, he is no longer with us,” Schmidt told the Echo, saying that if a defibrillator had been there and ready to use, Andrew would have survived his cardiac arrest. “That's when our family decided that we were going to do something about it, so that no other family would have to lose a loved one like this because this piece of equipment wasn't available.”

Ten years later, the small local charity has made huge strides in doing just that. Schmidt and her sister, Krista Granger, give talks about the crucial piece of medical equipment and show people how easy it is to use it. They also raise money to fund equipping public spaces with defibrillators, and each year the annual Tim Hortons’ Smile Cookie campaign plays a big part in that.

Seven years ago, the Thamesford Tim Hortons reached out to Schmidt, her husband, and Granger about being the charity that local sales go towards. The team enthusiastically said yes, and the rest has been history.

The campaign ran from April 28 to May 4 across the country this year, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to over 600 charities and community groups, including Andrew’s Legacy.

As of publication, the total amount raised has not been announced yet, but Schmidt anticipates a strong showing and hopes to beat their record last year. In 2024, the Thamesford location sold over 22,000 cookies, ranking number two in Ontario and number eight in Canada for cookie sales. That was all in a small, rural municipality with a population of just over 2,000 people.

Due in part to the campaign, Andrew’s Legacy has donated 74 defibrillators and has five more ready to go. They have also been successful in getting the equipment into each Thames Valley District School Board school, a huge accomplishment.

About the generosity of the community, Schmidt said that the area has rallied behind them.

“We have an amazing community that we live in, and it's small-town charm. I recommend it for everybody,” Schmidt said.

Moving forward, Schmidt said that the team is in the process of getting certified to train people for the use of defibrillators, so that as they donate equipment, they can be the ones to show businesses and individuals how to use them.

They are also a part of the Wildwood Dragon Boat Challenge on May 24, hoping to raise even more awareness for the cause.

For more information, visit https://andrewslegacyforever.ca/.