Blanche River Health Foundation Celebrates Record-Breaking Holiday Smile Cookie Week
Community support helps raise nearly $45,000, including over $25,000 directly for local healthcare.

Blanche River Health Foundation (BRHF) is celebrating an extraordinary Holiday Smile Cookie Campaign, with the community rallying to generate $38,992 in cookie sales and at least $6,000 in direct donations to BRHF.
Of the cookie-sale total, 50% supports BRHF and 50% supports Tim Hortons Foundation Camps — meaning $19,496 is heading to each cause. The additional $6,000+ in direct gifts goes entirely to BRHF, helping push the Foundation’s total benefit from the week to more than $25,000.
From November 17–23, the two Kirkland Lake Tim Hortons locations saw incredible engagement. The east location ranked #1 in the region and held the #3 spot in Canada for four consecutive days, ultimately finishing the week at #7 nationwide, while the west location proudly secured #2 in the region. Behind the scenes, more than 90 volunteers helped decorate cookies across both locations over the seven-day stretch — a huge part of the campaign’s success.
“This campaign is a reminder of how much our community cares about keeping high-quality healthcare close to home,” said BRH Board Chair Chester Jobson. “Every cookie bought — or gifted — helps strengthen the hospitals that so many families rely on.”
The week was filled with community-driven activities. On November 19, the Cookie Decorating Challenge brought a crowd to the east location as Dr. McPherson, Jonathan Laderoute of Alamos Gold’s Young-Davidson Mine, and Agnico Eagle’s Kyle Belec raced to decorate the most presentable cookies. The event was also streamed live on the Foundation’s Facebook Page. Belec took the win, but the real victory was the boost in sales the event generated.
Students also jumped into the Smile Cookie Colouring Contest, with support from The Fed Downtown providing classroom cookie parties for three students from each participating school. Colouring sheets were available through the Teck Centennial Library and local schools. Santa added to the excitement with a stop at the east Tim Hortons on November 20, greeting families and posing for photos while they picked up their cookies.
Community generosity helped drive the record-breaking results. Residents and businesses purchased cookies and donated them to local daycares, schools, and organizations, including TPR, Extendicare, Community Living, the skating club, dance team, and minor hockey association. Agnico Eagle played a standout role this year, purchasing more than 2,500 cookies (1,750 for all local schools and 800 for staff) and contributing over $6,000 directly to BRHF — making them the campaign’s largest supporter. Other direct gifts came from groups such as The Oakes Project: Heritage, Arts, and Tourism Board and the Museum of Northern History at the Sir Harry Oakes Chateau.
BRHF Board Director Mary Ann Mavrinac noted how visible that support became throughout the week: “What stood out most wasn’t just the number of cookies, but the number of people who stepped up, including the fantastic team at both Tim Hortons locations. The community’s support was front and centre everywhere you went, and it sends a strong message about the value of keeping care close to home.”
To celebrate the many businesses and organizations that placed bulk orders, BRHF featured them on social media through the beloved “big cookie” posts — with only a few choosing to support quietly. The online engagement further amplified the campaign’s reach and community spirit.
Tim Hortons restaurant owner David Venneri credited both his staff and the region for the outstanding results. “Our teams at the east and west locations worked incredibly hard all week, and our guests showed up in a huge way. We couldn’t have achieved these rankings without the community’s support.”
Proceeds from the campaign will support priority medical equipment at Blanche River Health while also funding meaningful experiences for youth through Tim Hortons Foundation Camps. Together, these investments strengthen the well-being of families across Englehart, Kirkland Lake, and surrounding communities.
About the Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie Campaign
David and Linda Venneri, who own and operate multiple Tim Hortons locations including both in Kirkland Lake, selected Blanche River Health Foundation as the beneficiary of the 2025 Holiday Smile Cookie Campaign.
Tim Hortons’ Holiday Smile Cookie campaign is a national fundraiser held each November, where 100% of the proceeds from every Holiday Smile Cookie sold go to a local charities and Tim Hortons Foundation Camps.
To learn more, visit timhortons.ca/holiday-smile-cookie-biscuit-sourire-des-fetes
About Blanche River Health Foundation
The Blanche River Health Foundation raises funds for equipment and capital projects at the Blanche River Health hospitals in Englehart and Kirkland Lake. With limited government funding, the hospitals rely on people’s generosity to modernize facilities, improve patient care, and advance its mission to make healthcare work for you. Governed by a volunteer board of directors, the Foundation plays a vital role in ensuring essential improvements are made possible.
To continue supporting BRH, please consider donating to the BRH Foundation via:
- Online: Visit brhfoundation.ca
- Cheque: Blanche River Health Foundation, 145 Government Road East, Kirkland Lake, Ontario P2N 3P4
- Lottery Tickets: Purchase Split the Pot tickets at splitthepot.ca
- Your Estate Planner: Include the Foundation in your will through planned giving: legacy.brhfoundation.ca
- Grateful Hearts Program: Honour a caregiver or staff member who made a difference by donating in their name through grateful.brhfoundation.ca
Visit brhfoundation.ca to learn more or to donate.
Pictured:
Photo #1: The Tim Hortons team presents a record-breaking Smile Cookie cheque to the Blanche River Health Foundation.
Back row, left to right: Michael J. Marinigh (BRHF), Chester Jobson (BRH), Gagandeep Singh (Tim Hortons), Melissa Lussier (Tim Hortons), Noah Figueiredo (Tim Hortons), Sam Quenneville (Tim Hortons), Rene Boudreault (BRHF), and John Sullivan(BRHF).
Front row: Bonnie Sackrider(BRHF), Jorge VanSlyke(BRH/F), Madhavi Purohit (BRHF), Sandy Austin (BRH/F), Mary Ann Mavrinac (BRHF), Rajdeep Sahota (Tim Hortons), Jaspreet Kaur (Tim Hortons), Katie Lavergne (BRHF), and Cassandra James (BRHF).
Holding the cheque: Lillian Dinel and Zeppelin Lavergne.
Photo #2: Members of the Kirkland Lake Fire Services volunteer to decorate cookies.
Photo #3: Decorating Challenge participants pose with their medals.
Photo #4: Santa visits with BRHF employees during Cookies with Santa.
Photo #5: Members of the Timiskaming Paramedics pose with the "big cookie" to celebrate their bulk order in support of the campaign.
