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(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

may 1-7

Smile Cookies return (early) to help local causes

Apr 29, 2023 | 1:50 PM

Smile Cookies… they’re back, now earlier in the year than ever.

Normally a September fixture, Tim Horton’s is brining them back from May 1-7, and once again, 100 per cent of proceeds from each cookie sold at Red Deer locations will go to Reading College, an initiative of The Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools.

Cookies this year cost $1.50, organizers note, up from a dollar.

Kristine Plastow, foundation board chair, points out Reading College will celebrate its 12th year this summer, as well as its 700th participant.

“Reading College is our flagship program. For those who aren’t aware, it supports struggling readers who’ve just finished Grade 2, and whom we want to see improve their reading, writing and confidence heading into Grade 3,” says Plastow. “Grade 2 reading levels are a predictor of high school completion.”

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Missing: Jimmy Eagle, 27, of Maskwacis

the situation is dire

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Reading College takes place for several weeks in the summer at Red Deer Polytechnic.

Other municipalities where you can get Smile Cookies for various causes (check the map here)

Sylvan Lake – Sylvan Lake Urgent Care

Red Deer Polytechnic – Food Bank of Canada

Penhold – Penhold Youth Centre

Innisfail – Ecole John Wilson Elementary School Parent Society

Bowden – Bowden Grandview School Youth Enhancement Fund

Olds – Hope for MVC Kids Society (46 St. location) and Food Banks of Canada (50 St. location)

Rocky Mountain House – Rocky Health Foundation

Blackfalds/Lacombe – Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Lacombe

Ponoka/Rimbey – Ponoka Youth Centre

Stettler – Stettler Health Services Foundation

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)