Smile Cookie campaign breaks Kingston record with $232K for Inclusive Play Project

Inclusive Play Project's fundraising total marks the largest amount ever raised locally through the annual Tim Hortons campaign

The 2026 Smile Cookie campaign has raised a record-breaking $232,286.23 in Kingston in support of the Inclusive Play Project and the future Jumpstart Inclusive Playground at Shannon Park.

The campaign supports the Inclusive Play Project, a community-led initiative working to build an accessible playground where children and adults of all abilities can play together. The planned playground will include accessible features such as rubberized surfacing, ramps and wheelchair-friendly equipment, alongside traditional playground structures.

Rachel Doornekamp of the Inclusive Play Project said the community support will help move the project closer to reality.

The playground construction has already begun and Doornekamp says that it is expected to be finished by September.

The fundraising total was announced Wednesday during an event at the future playground site beside Rideau Heights Public School. According to local Tim Hortons owner Sherri Agnew, the amount is the highest ever raised through the Smile Cookie campaign in Kingston.

Counsellor, Brandon Tozzo joined representatives from the Inclusive Play Project and local Tim Hortons owners for the announcement.

The annual Smile Cookie campaign takes place at Tim Hortons restaurants across North America. This year marks the campaign’s 30th anniversary.

Story by Alyssa Brush