TIM HORTONS MAKES DONATION TO DARE PROGRAM

The local Tim Hortons held its first "Smile Cookie" promotion in Fort
Frances this fall, with great success.

Between Sept. 20-29, Tim Hortons sold "Smile Cookies" for $1 each,
with proceeds going to a charity of choice.

This year's charity was the D.A.R.E. program, where local OPP officers
go into schools to teach kids about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

The program also teaches kids to avoid violence, to manage anger, and
to seek healthy relationships.

"I am very proud of all the hard work and effort that my staff put
into promoting the 'Smile Cookies' to our customers," store owner
Gordon McQuarrie said.

"And I would also like to thank our loyal customers for purchasing the
cookies and helping us to raise money for such a worthy cause.

"You gave everyone a reason to smile," he added.

McQuarrie was on hand at J.W. Walker School yesterday to present a
"cookie cheque" for $1,226.73 to Fort Frances OPP S/Sgt. Hugh Dennis
and Fort Frances OPP Cst. Caroline Spencer, who teaches the D.A.R.E.
program.

Students from Cindy Kaun's Grade 6 class at J.W. Walker prepared a
large thank-you card for McQuarrie for his efforts in supporting the
program.

S/Sgt. Dennis also thanked him, as well as the teachers and school
administrators who support the program. "Your help is just
tremendous," he said.

The "Smile Cookie" program began in Hamilton in 1996 as a fundraiser
for the Hamilton Children's Hospital, and has since expanded across
Canada, helping a variety of children's charities, hospitals, and
community programs.