Taber, Alberta, narrowly beat Coaldale in the 2026 Smile Cookie Knock-Out Challenge, a friendly fundraising competition that raised more than $34,000 for local preventative social programs. Taber sold over 7,700 cookies during Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Week from April 27 to May 3, 2026, topping Coaldale by just 136 cookies. All proceeds support Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) programs that help individuals and families in both communities.
The cookie rivalry started with a lighthearted dare from Taber Mayor Andrew Prokop to Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn. The two mayors added a personal touch to the campaign, which this year featured a boxing-themed twist. Kim Fehr, a family support worker with FCSS in Coaldale, helped organize the challenge and encouraged residents to step back into the ring after Coaldale won the inaugural event in 2025.
In 2025, Coaldale raised over $13,000, while Taber brought in more than $11,000, for a combined total of roughly $24,700. This year, the combined efforts jumped to over $34,000. Corey Persson, the Tim Hortons restaurant owner who runs both the Coaldale and Taber locations, partnered with FCSS for the campaign. “This initiative is one of the most meaningful programs we take part in each year, because it directly supports local families and strengthens the communities our restaurants serve every day,” Persson said.
The money raised stays local, funding mental health services, youth programs, parenting support, and seniors’ initiatives through FCSS. The 2026 Smile Cookie campaign also marked the 30th anniversary of the national fundraiser, which brought in a record $23.3 million across Canada and the U.S. for nearly 700 charities. Since 1996, the campaign has raised more than $174 million.
