Coaldale and Taber rivalry continues for Smile Cookie Week

Sunny South News Photo Courtesy of Becky Fitton. RIVALRY: Mayor Andrew Prokop, Town of Taber on the left and Mayor Jack Van Rijn, Town of Coaldale on the right ready for the annual Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign.

By Garrett Simmons
Family and Community Support Services

Coaldale and Taber Tim Hortons locations will duke it out once again this spring for cookie fundraising supremacy.

The annual Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Week will run from April 27 to May 3, and for the second straight campaign, the two towns will go head to head to see who can raise the most money for Barons-Eureka-Warner Family and Community Support Services.

As was the case in 2025, 100 per cent of proceeds from Smile Cookies sold in Coaldale and Taber will go towards supporting local mental health, youth, parenting and seniors’ programs through FCSS.

The 2026 Smile Cookie Knockout Challenge (CKO) will look to top last year’s numbers, which broke all previous store records for the annual fundraising campaign, with close to $24,000 raised between both stores. The competition was fierce but in the end, Coaldale came out on top with a slight edge over Taber.

Kim Fehr, a Family Support Worker for FCSS, based out of the Coaldale office, is hopeful the boxing-themed challenge for 2026 will up the stakes for the two communities.

“This year, we’re adding a fun playful twist with the CKO,” said Fehr. “We’re calling on Coaldale to step back into the ring and help us ‘knock out’ Taber once again. We know our community always shows up strong, and we’re counting on that same energy and support to bring home another win.”

She added FCSS is encouraging southern Albertans to step up in a big way to support their community of choice.

“Your support stays local and helps build connections and strengthen the community we all share and love,” said Fehr. “We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of this campaign and the generosity of our communities.”

Partnerships with companies such as Tim Hortons are vital to FCSS, she added.

“The Smile Cookie campaign is such an important initiative for our communities,” said Fehr. “The funds raised through this campaign directly support FCSS programming, allowing us to continue offering meaningful, preventative programs that strengthen individuals and families. FCSS works to ensure people feel supported, included and empowered.”

Money from fundraisers such as this make a real difference by helping FCSS meet the growing needs and expand the impact of its services. Some examples of how the funds are used in Coaldale include Family Nights and parties in the parks throughout Lethbridge County in the summer months, in communities such as Monarch, Iron Springs and Shaughnessy.

For Kim Forchuk, a Family Support Worker based out of the Taber FCSS office, the cookie competition is just as vital.

“The Smile Cookie Campaign is such an important part of our communities,” she said. “The funds raised help us run programs that support mental health and strengthen skills and relationships for kids, families and seniors across Taber and the M.D. of Taber, helping people feel more connected and supported.”

She added money from the campaign contributes to the operation of numerous initiatives in the Taber area.

“Last year, those funds supported programs like the DO Crew JR., Young Birds Learning, the Baby Fair and one-on-one support for families, just to name a few,” said Forchuk. “Every cookie really does make a difference. It’s a great way for people to support others in their communities, while enjoying a cookie.”

For Tim Hortons, the FCSS partnership is a valuable one, according to Corey Persson, who owns the Coaldale and Taber locations.

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with FCSS on the Smile Cookie campaign in both Taber and Coaldale,” he said. “This initiative is one of the most meaningful programs we take part in each year, because it directly supports local families and strengthens the communities our restaurants serve every day.”

Persson added Tim Hortons staff take great pride in supporting the campaign.

“Our team members genuinely rally behind it – from baking and decorating cookies to engaging with guests, because they know the impact stays right here at home,” he said. “As a company, we’re deeply committed to supporting initiatives like this that bring people together and make a real difference, and our partnership with FCSS is something we truly value and look forward to continuing for years to come.”