Smile Cookie funds have an impact at Elliot Lake hospital

Smile Cookies help transform hospital rooms St. Joseph’s General Hospital celebrate a transformation of three rooms at the hospital to be child friendly spaces thanks to Smile Cookies.

In Elliot Lake on Wednesday, St. Joseph’s General Hospital was joined by Tim Hortons and the children’s charity Smilezones to celebrate a transformation of three rooms at the hospital into child-friendly spaces.

Most of the funding for the transformation came from the sale of Smile Cookies. The goal is to make visiting the hospital less daunting for kids.

"As a hospital, we have budget constraints so relying on community foundations through Smilezone, through Tim Hortons Elliot Lake and through the Foundations of St. Joe’s makes these kinds of projects possible," said Chris Piel, St. Joseph’s General Hospital CFO.

Smilezone Foundation is a registered children’s charity that transforms hospital rooms and other child health spaces with colourful murals, sensory development equipment and interactive technology like iPads.

"Everyone feels welcome," said Jackie Hames, Smilezone executive director.

"Kids feel, you know, less scared and less anxious when they are coming in for treatment. And it’s not just about the kids, either. We really want to make it a better place for siblings while they are waiting, for parents while they are going through a tough time ... We want to make sure that we are impacting as many people as possible."

The initiative was mainly funded by the local Tim Hortons and its Smile Cookie campaign.

"As a mom, I can definitely relate to how hard it is for your youngsters to come into the hospital and how scary it can be when they are not feeling well -- and as much as you try to make them feel better, it is difficult," said Erin Brunelle, Tim Hortons franchisee.

"So having that outside stimulus definitely makes a difference."

Hospital officials said financial contributions from the Elliot Lake Retirement Living Community Grant and the St. Joseph’s Foundation helped complete the $40,000 Smilezone community initiative.