YORKTON — The community proved its sweet tooth has an even bigger heart this year, helping the annual Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign smash through a major fundraising milestone for Close Cuts for Cancer.
This year’s initiative raised $23,756.84, a significant jump from last year’s total of $20,033.05. With each cookie priced at $2, local residents purchased nearly 12,000 cookies. The exceptional week brought the campaign’s nine-year total since 2018 to $111,983.80, surpassing the $100,000 lifetime milestone organizers hoped to achieve this year.
The success of the campaign relies heavily on a dedicated network of 60 to 75 local volunteers who donate their time to hand-decorate every single cookie. Among those stepping up to decorate this year was the Venom U17 girls’ volleyball team. Tim Hortons Yorkton assumes 100 per cent of the operational overhead, ensuring Close Cuts for Cancer receives all proceeds to fund local initiatives.
The busy environment also came with a few perks for those doing the baking. Close Cuts for Cancer co-founder Greg Ottenbreit joked that any broken cookies are completely fair game for the volunteers.
“I only consumed two broken cookies this year,” Ottenbreit laughed. “I was busy, I never broke enough.”
Direct support for cancer patients
Every dollar raised directly benefits the Local Cancer Initiatives Program, which provides services for Saskatchewan patients and their families navigating a cancer journey. These funds cover a range of needs, including one-night stays at the Regina cancer patient lodge and one-week stays at the Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon.
The campaign also funds youth programs like Camp Circle of Friends, a medically supervised camp for children affected by cancer, and the Cancer Champions program, which provides chemo-accessible shirts and celebratory trophies for young patients. The newest expansion of the program supports nutrition initiatives and the community oncology unit at the Yorkton hospital.
“We are so very thankful for the support we have received from the community, Tim Hortons and the volunteers,” said founders Greg and Leone Ottenbreit.
By Andrea Moss, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, SaskToday.ca
Original Published on May 22, 2026 at 17:49
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