(Submitted photo/Lorrie Bunko, Humboldt District Hospital Foundation)

By Ben Tompkins

Give a smile get a smile

SMILE Cookies to support Humboldt Hospital for 10th year in a row

Sep 15, 2022 | 10:15 AM

For the past nine years, the Humboldt Tim Hortons has supported the Humboldt District Hospital Foundation, through its annual SMILE Cookie campaign.

Nearly $73,000 has been raised since its inauguration, which has gone on to support the cardiac department, mental health and addictions, oncology and more.

Humboldt District Hospital Foundation Executive Director Lorrie Bunko told northeastNOW they’re extremely grateful for the opportunity to have something new and different supported this year.

“We were so fortunate again for Dan Morgan and their staff to pick us, once again, and to be able to support our Obstetrics department here at the hospital,” she said. “The funds raised from this program, over the years, have actually made a huge impact on our health care facility.”

Obstetrics is the hospital’s labour recovery area, which currently has two rooms. They currently have two big pieces of equipment they’ve been raising money for, which includes a wireless fetal heart monitor and an infant warmer.

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Bunko explained they have seen a slight increase in the number of newborns at the hospital, which has created a need for the equipment.

“There’s always something that is needed, so it’s nice to have funds designated just for obstetrics.”

Bunko added they hope to see similar results this year, as they’ve seen in the past.

“So many different areas of the hospital have been supported throughout the years with the SMILE cookies and we look forward to seeing how we do for this year.”

The campaign will run from September 19-25, with 100 per cent of the proceeds being donated.

With an anticipated extra two-to-three thousand cookies required to be decorated every day, retired and current health care workers, the Humboldt Broncos, the Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and friends and family will be volunteering their time to help in this process.

Bunko mentioned how this community supports each other is nothing short of incredible.

“How amazing is that,” she added. People from all over the area, there’s a lot of support for these cookies.”

For those unable to get to the local Tim Hortons, during this time, there will be a handful of people travelling to surrounding communities and “taking the cookies on the road and spreading the smiles.”

This will allow as many people as possible to be reached and help support the local hospital, which serves over 30,000 people.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8