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User Not Found | Sep 14, 2017
Tim Hortons Smile Cookie proceeds sent to fundraising campaign for arts theatre
Fort Erie Tim Hortons owner Rick Strom, left, was joined by Greater Fort Erie High School’s drama teacher, Vince Marinaccio, and some students on Monday to kickoff the latest Smile Cookie campaign, which this year will support funding of the new arts theatre.
FORT ERIE — Smile Cookies are back at Tim Hortons, and this year the stores in Fort Erie are sending the money from the campaign to the new high school arts theatre.
Every year, the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign raises thousands of dollars for a local cause, and the latest campaign will support the ongoing fundraising efforts for the arts theatre located inside Greater Fort Erie High School, which opened its doors just last week. Despite already opening, the theatre has still not been entirely paid for.
“We’ve still got to pay for this thing because we made a commitment to this town. We said we would raise this money, so it’s important that we follow through on that,” said Vince Marinaccio, the school’s drama teacher. “We’ve already got about $1.8 million; that leaves us with $1.2 million to go, and this is going to help us get there.”
The school board needs the money in 2018 and any shortfall on the campaign will fall back to the taxpayers as the remainder will be split evenly between the board and the municipality. But Marinaccio said he’s still confident the town will reach the $3 million marker before then.
Rick Strom, Tim Hortons franchise owner in Fort Erie, said Smile Cookies proceeds from all four of his stores — two in Fort Erie, one at the Peace Bridge, and one in Stevensville — will all go toward the arts theatre.
“It just seemed like the right thing to do,” said Strom.
Meanwhile in Crystal Beach, the owner of that franchise has chosen to send the money from their own Smile Cookie campaign toward the Crystal Beach Beautification Committee. The money will go toward paying for the flowers and hanging baskets which line the main road heading to the beach.
“Next year our flowers will smile back at you,” said committee member Orma Bleeks.
James Culic
Niagara This Week
https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/7551570-cookie-campaign-helps-fund-new-arts-theatre/