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What’s better than a cookie that tastes good? A cookie that does good!  Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign is back supporting charities in communities across the country, including Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) – one of 550 Canadian charities, hospitals and community programs supported through the annual campaign.

For one week, from September 14 – 20, the Tim Hortons restaurant owners in Midland, Penetanguishene, Waubaushene and Port Severn will donate the full $1 from every freshly baked chocolate chunk Smile Cookie purchased to help buy Telemetry Packs for the ICU at GBGH.

“The Smile Cookie campaign has provided more than $270,000 to our hospital since 2012, and we are incredibly grateful for the support of our local Tim Hortons restaurants,” says Nicole Kraftscik, executive director, GBGH Foundation. “Because of this program, we have been able to purchase 24 stretchers for the Emergency Department, renovate patient rooms, purchase 10 IV Infusion Pumps, and so much more.”

This year’s campaign will look a little different, in light of COVID-19 distancing guidelines and face covering requirements, but staff and volunteers from GBGH and the GBGH Foundation will be smiling behind their face coverings as they give their time to help support the campaign.

“There is so much excitement in the community around Smile Cookie week,” says Gail Hunt, president & CEO, Georgian Bay General Hospital.  “Our staff help sell cookies in the restaurant drive-thrus, our volunteers deliver pre-ordered cookies and thousands of local residents support the campaign by buying smile cookies every day.”

The GBGH Foundation is taking pre-orders for cookies, which will be delivered by volunteers throughout the week.  Anyone interested in ordering cookies should contact Christine Baguley, philanthropy officer at the Foundation (baguleyc@gbgh.on.ca or 705-526-1300 ext.5338).

“The real magic behind the Smile Cookie campaign is the local impact and we’re excited to be able to support local charities, hospitals and community programs again this year. Our guests, restaurant owners and their team members can feel incredibly proud knowing that the money raised during the campaign directly supports local Tim Hortons communities.”  – Mike Hancock, Chief Operating Officer, Tim Hortons



On Friday, August 28, 2020, a small group of 56 golfers gathered at the Midland Golf & Country Club for the first-ever Captain’s Invitational Golf Tournament, raising more than $354,000 in support of Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH).  Presented by Toronto-based Urbacon, and hosted by Glenn Howard, the tournament commanded $8,000 per foursome, with a goal to raise $110,000 for GBGH.

Urbacon Chairman, Marco Mancini, has a 10-year, $500,000 pledge to GBGH through the annual Glenn Howard Charity Golf Classic, which, like many other events, had to be cancelled this year.  Determined to rally others to join him in supporting the hospital, Mancini proposed the smaller, executive tournament with a dinner and celebration at his private residence in Tiny Township.

“It is my privilege to assist the Foundation to help make a difference in people’s lives. Over the 20 years my family has been in Georgian Bay, we have made several trips to GBGH.  We are lucky to have this outstanding facility in our region,” said Mancini.  “I am thrilled with the results of the Captain’s Invitational.  Urbacon is in the business of building, but we are also committed to building better, stronger and healthier communities.”

This unique tournament brought together loyal Glenn Howard Charity Golf supporters and a handful of teams associated with Urbacon. The results were nothing short of inspiring.  Mancini challenged everyone involved to step up for GBGH, and committed to matching every donation made at the event.

“Marco’s challenge had an immediate and contagious effect,” says Nicole Kraftscik, executive director, GBGH Foundation. “Ten individuals pledged gifts ranging from $1,000 to $30,000, with a grand total of $104,000 committed in less than one hour.  I am overwhelmed by the amazing generosity and incredibly grateful to everyone who is helping ensure that critical health care is available close to home. Most of us don’t expect to be admitted to hospital – until we are. Nothing is more important than the health of our community.”

The funds raised will complete the surgical expansion project, which began with the Glenn Howard Charity Golf Classic in 2018. The $300,000 project expanded the surgical services at GBGH to include laparoscopic hernias, three specialized urology procedures, two specialized ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeries, and orthopedic shoulder surgeries. Additional funds will help address the hospital’s significant investment in COVID-19 pandemic preparedness, which totals more than $500,000.  Add this to the hospital’s unmet capital equipment requirements of more than $7-million, and it is clear that supporting the hospital has never been of greater urgency.

“I am thrilled to see the fundraising for the hospital’s surgical expansion project completed,” says Glenn Howard, world champion curler and host of the Captain’s Invitational Golf Tournament.  “Kudos to Marco and Urbacon for ensuring we could get this wrapped up for GBGH this year and support the most ongoing critical needs. A donation to our hospital is really a donation to everyone within the community. I want to share my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who pitched in.”

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Jeff Holloway, Director

Jeff works at RBC Dominion Securities in Midland and joined RBC Wealth Management in 2014. In his current role, Jeff provides wealth management solutions to business owners, executives, professionals, and retirees.

Prior to working at RBC, Jeff was a partner at a leadership consulting firm and was a vice president at a Fortune 500 consulting company. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CPA, CA) while working for a multinational audit, tax, and consulting firm, he was the Controller at the National Hockey League Players’ Association.

Jeff was born in Kitchener-Waterloo and spent most of his childhood living in Owen Sound.  He moved to the Midland area full-time in 2019. He graduated from the University of Waterloo with an Honors degree in Mathematics (Computer Science). Jeff also holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation and the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation.

Jeff is very supportive of many worthwhile causes in our local community. Currently, he is the Treasurer for the Quest Art School and Gallery in Midland.