Elvy Goring, program co-ordinator, helps graduates of this year's Reading College program with making their own Tim Hortons Smile Cookies on Friday. (rdnewsNOW / Sheldon Spackman)

By Sheldon Spackman

Cookies For A Cause

Smile Cookie Campaign raises over $40,000 for Reading College

Nov 29, 2019 | 4:23 PM

Central Albertans stepped-up in a big way once again this year to help support the annual Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign.

Officials with the Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools say the September campaign sold 41,112 Tim Hortons Smile Cookies, meaning $41,112 was raised for the Foundation’s annual summer Reading College held in July each year.

Reading College helps struggling young readers entering Grade 3 become readers of potential and provides students with reading gaps, an amazing summer experience that will not only develop their reading skills, but more importantly, their interest and motivation in reading.

Elvy Goring, Reading College coordinator, says more than 60 students are bussed each day into Red Deer College (RDC), then given breakfast and taken to class where they spend their day immersed in literacy activities.

“One room is focused on reading, one is focused on writing and one on word skills including phonics,” explains Goring. “We know from talking to parents and teachers that student’s interest and motivation is impacted in a very big way. We often get students who are reluctant readers or writers at the beginning of July and by the end of July, they’re wanting to read, they’re wanting to write, they’re just embracing it because they feel confident.”

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Goring notes the program utilizes six new RDC Education graduates each year to help with the students.

“Those brand new teachers just bring out a wealth of current knowledge and enthusiasm to the students,” says Goring. “As well, we have three mentor teachers who are teachers who are retired and have taught their whole careers primary literacy, and so they are able to share that with those six new teachers. It’s the people and the partnerships that really make this program go, as well as the schools because they help us pick the best candidates for the program.”

Goring says the program’s location at RDC is another important aspect of Reading College.

“It’s really neat for the kids because they see what they’re working towards,” adds Goring. “For lots of the kids, they may be the first person in their family who gets to go to college and they see options. So instead of talking about if, we talk about when you go to college. That opens up a whole new world for them and they know what they’re working towards.”

Diane Roberts, principal at Mountview School and Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools board member, says she’s amazed by the community’s support for Reading Colllege.

“Even in tough times, it shows that people really care about kids and seeing kids being successful,” says Roberts. “Reading impacts everything in your life going forward, being successful in school, graduating high school and being successful in your career. I’m just super impressed with how it’s run and I get positive comments from the parents all the time about how much more confident their child is with reading and how much they look towards reading, writing and spending time doing those activities.”

From September 16th – 22nd, Tim Hortons restaurant owners in Red Deer generously donated all proceeds from sales of a special smiling chocolate chunk cookie to support the Reading College program through The Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools.

The $1 treat helps community programs across Canada in the cities where they are sold.