Red Deer’s Tim Hortons restaurants raised $80,604 for the Reading College program during this year’s Smile Cookie campaign. The results were announced May 22 at École Oriole Park School, with funds directly supporting literacy for local children.
The campaign ran from April 27 to May 3, with cookies selling for $2 each and all proceeds staying in the community. The total nearly matched last year’s record of $80,773, surpassing expectations despite rising costs for gas and groceries. Tanya Doucette, one of the local Tim Hortons owners, said residents “dug deep” to help kids improve their reading.
Reading College is a summer program offered at no cost by the Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools. The 2026 session runs June 29 to July 24 at Red Deer Polytechnic, with nine teachers leading small classes. Nearly 80 Grade 2 students with identified reading gaps will receive intensive instruction, transportation, and meals, all paid for by donations.
Over the past 15 years, more than 1,000 children have completed Reading College, gaining skills to succeed in Grade 3 and beyond. The Smile Cookie campaign continues to be a major source of funding, keeping the program free for families across Red Deer.
