Smile Cookie campaign raises over $18,000 for local health care

Pictured from left to right are St. Marys Healthcare Foundation communications coordinator Bernice De Decker, health-care foundation board member Wendy Lamond, St. Marys Tims Hortons manager Shari-Ann McHardy, Huron-Perth Healthcare Alliance director of patients Jacqui Tam, health-care foundation board member Mark Kennedy, health-care alliance manager of patient care Arlene Lanting, health-care foundation board member Linda McFadyen, health-care alliance president and CEO Andrew Williams, and St. Marys Tim Hortons owner Paul Whaling.

By Bernice De Decker

The 2026 Smile Cookie campaign was another incredible success for the community, raising a total of $18,486.98 in support of new trauma lights for the St. Marys Memorial Hospital emergency department.

The campaign goal of $16,600 was officially reached by Friday during Smile Cookie week. Thanks to the incredible support of community members, volunteers and local supporters, more than 9,000 Smile Cookies were sold throughout the campaign.

The foundation extends a heartfelt thank-you to the many volunteers who generously donated their time to decorate cookies throughout the week. Special thanks go to manager Shari-Ann McHardy and owner Paul Whaling, along with the entire staff at the St. Marys Tim Hortons, whose hard work and dedication helped make the campaign such a success!

Every cookie truly made a difference and the Foundation is deeply appreciative of the continued generosity and enthusiasm shown by the community year after year.