The Carman, Morden and Winkler Christmas Cheer Boards are sharing in thousands of dollars raised at the communities respective Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie campaigns. This was the first year the coffee chain operated the promotion, with each location splitting the donations 50/50 between a local charity and Tim Hortons Foundation Camps. Across the country about $9.8 million was raised. Cheque presentations happened Friday.at two of the area's Tim's, Morden and Carman.

Nearly $8,600 was raised at the Morden restaurant, with that figure being split between Morden Christmas Cheer Board and the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps.

"We couldn't be more happy to support the Cheer Board," said Co-owner Linda Doerksen after the presentation at the Morden location. "They provide a wonderful service in this community, a much needed service in this community, and as you can see this morning, so many great volunteers that do that work for our community. It's not just Christmas, they work all year round to provide that service, and we're just really, really happy to lend a hand where we can, in that respect."

Morden Christmas Cheer Board Chair Carolyn Schellenberg says the donation is a big help as they look toward hamper delivery day December 20th.

"We were expecting about 300 hampers, and our applications are over 360," she explained. "There's a big difference we have to find money to cover for the hampers. It's a big help, and thanks to Tim Hortons for doing that."

With grocery prices going up, Schellenberg noted they needed more money to fill their hampers, and the Holiday Smile Cookie campaign definitely helps.

"This community is so supportive of these campaigns," noted Doerksen. "All locations in our family of stores, here, did an amazing job. We are so proud of our communities. The rural communities in Manitoba are very supportive, and it's just awesome."

Morden Christmas Cheer PR rep Chelsea Delaquis says the campaign was a tonne of fun to participate in.

"Quite amazing to see how much support we had from our community, and all of the support we had from the local Tim Hortons employees and owners," she shared.

In Carman almost $5,600 was raised, with half going to the Carman and District Christmas Cheer Board. The Winkler and District Christmas Cheer Board is the third, with its cheque presentation happening in the near future.

- With files from Nicole Klassen - 

cheque presentation at Carman Tim HortonsJeff Doerksen (back left) along with Carman Tim Hortons staff present Carmand and District Christmas Cheer Board its donation from the campaign

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