Stettler residents came together to raise a record $20,143.77 for local healthcare during the April 2026 Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign, the Stettler Health Services Foundation announced on May 28. The amount tops all previous years for this small Alberta community and earned the local Tim Hortons third place in the Central Zone fundraising rankings, placing it ahead of many much larger centres.
The Stettler Tim Hortons, owned by Bob Carey, sold smile-shaped cookies as part of the nationwide campaign, which marked its 30th anniversary in 2026. Nationally, the campaign raised a record $23.3 million for nearly 700 local charities and community groups, but Stettler’s per-capita effort stood out. Foundation spokesperson Mary-Jane Jackson noted that the two communities that finished ahead of Stettler in the Central Zone have three to four times its population of roughly 5,900 people.
“A huge thank you to Tim Hortons and their amazing staff for once again supporting the Stettler Health Services Foundation through the Smile Cookie Campaign,” said Cheryl Barros, SHSF chairperson. “Your continued generosity, community spirit, and hard work help make a difference in our community. Every cookie purchased helps support local healthcare initiatives, and your support is truly appreciated!” The money goes to the Stettler Health Services Foundation, which uses donations to purchase equipment and support programs at the Stettler Hospital and Care Centre. The facility serves east-central Alberta with 24-hour emergency care, acute care, surgical services, obstetrics, and renal dialysis.
The Stettler Health Services Foundation has been raising funds since 1998 and has put more than $2 million toward the hospital over the years. In its 2024-25 fiscal year alone, the foundation donated over $360,000 worth of equipment, including blanket warmers, wheelchairs, and medication pumps. The annual Smile Cookie campaign has become one of its key fundraisers, with the 2025 effort bringing in $13,336.92 to fund three specialized patient chairs.
The Smile Cookie campaign started in 1996 in Hamilton, Ontario, to support a children’s hospital and has since grown into one of Canada’s most recognized charitable drives. The 30th anniversary campaign ran from April 27 to May 3, with full cookie proceeds staying in each community. For Stettler, that means essential medical equipment and patient comfort items remain close to home, backed by a small town’s outsized support.
