The proceeds of Gravenhurst’s Smile Cookies will go to KP Manson Public School as the two Tim Hortons locations continue their campaign in support of local education.
From April 29 until May 5, Smile Cookies will be available for $1.50 each with all proceeds going to local charities. Former operator Ashley Hrinkanic ran the two Gravenhurst Tim Hortons locations before owners Paul Stevenson and Tammy Jacklin took over the franchises at the end of last year. In 2022, Hrinkanic announced a four-year plan to support local schools through Smile Cookie. The new owners want to continue the work Hrinkanic started, so up next is KP Manson Public School in Severn Bridge.
“We know KP is a smaller school, so we’re hoping that even though they don’t have as many students, the rest of our community will help them raise the funds they need,” said Kristina Brownlee, general manager of the Gravenhurst Tim Hortons.
She and her team are excited to see the new owners carry on with Hrinkanic’s efforts, she said. Stevenson and Jacklin also own three stores in Barrie, and they hope to maintain the community connection cultivated by Hrinkanic and the previous owners.
The staff have invited students and other volunteers to decorate the store, frost cookies and hold up signs to promote the campaign. Brownlee said it’s heartwarming to see the impact of the campaign year after year, and with children on the receiving end of the fundraising, the good feeling only grows.
“They get so excited,” she said. “When the kids come in and help decorate and see people purchasing cookies, it’s huge for them.”
KP Manson Principal Tim Clayton said the school does its fair share of fundraising, but Smile Cookie offers a unique chance to leverage the support of the larger community.
“For a small school, it’s a big opportunity, a big fundraiser for us, so the staff here are all on board to get out there and help support these kids,” Clayton said. “Our community is jumping behind us, so we’re pretty excited.”
A small school nestled in the woods, nature plays a big role in the experience at KP Manson. Students go outside for recess rain or shine, and some of the youngest students have an outdoor basecamp that allows them to learn under the trees. In many ways, the forested area is part of both leisure and learning.
The school plans to use the money raised in the Smile Cookie campaign to upgrade its outdoor learning space. The exact plans will depend on the fundraising total, but they’re considering updating the playground equipment, painting games along the asphalt and creating an outdoor volleyball court.
“We have a very small gym here, so all of our outdoor [physical education] is really important to the school,” he said. “We play a lot of our soccer and basketball outside and a lot of team games outside. It just is great for kids to get outside and get fresh air and learn within our environment and with our environment.”
He said the response has been amazing already. The mayor and town council have signed on to support the campaign. Past and current students along with their families are working as hype crew to help spread the word. KP Manson’s Grade 7/8 class has plans to visit one of the Tim Hortons locations to decorate cookies and hold up signs.
Clayton said it’s clear from past years of the campaign that Muskoka answers the call when asked to support local schools. It’s a small but proud community and the way people from across the region help students is part of that pride.
“This is like a one-of-a-kind fundraiser [for the school], so families are really getting behind it and the students are realizing it’s not just a school fundraiser, it’s a community fundraiser,” he said. “The Gravenhurst family of schools has benefited from this before, and we’re hoping the community can get behind us again.”
To support KP Manson Public School through the Smile Cookie campaign, visit the Gravenhurst Tim Hortons locations at 150 Talisman Drive and 2329 Highway 11 South from April 29 to May 5.
