Community Living raises more than $8,000 to send youth to camp

Coffee and cookie buyers have helped raise about $8,595 for Community Living Fort Erie (CLFE), which brought in $7,595.61 through this year’s Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign and another $1,000 through a McDonald’s hot beverage day in November.

The fundraisers ran at locations in Fort Erie, Ridgeway, Crystal Beach and Stevensville, and will support summer camps in 2026 for teens and young adults with intellectual disabilities who build life and job skills through community-based activities.

This year’s Smile Cookie campaign generated roughly $1,000 more for CLFE than it did in 2024. Sheldon Samlall, CLFE’s community engagement and development manager, noted that was with the Tim Hortons in Crescent Park closed for renovations.

“Not only did we surpass last year’s goal, but we did it with location down. I was really, really pleased with that,” he told Fort Erie Radio.

Smile Cookie costs also increased this year because proceeds were split between Tim Hortons Foundation Camps and CLFE, which made the higher total stand out even more for Samlall.

The first boost to this fall’s fundraising came on November 13, when McDonald’s restaurants on Garrison Road and in Ridgeway donated 50 cents from every coffee and tea sold for 24 hours. The two locations sold 1,638 hot beverages that day, with the franchise owner rounding the total donation to an even $1,000.

To staff the Smile Cookie week, Samlall called for volunteers from across the community, and spots were quickly filled.

“As soon as I put the call out for volunteers, my sign-up sheet was full. We had clients involved, our staff, community members, everyone just jumped in. It was all positive things to say about that,” said Samlall.

He added the quick response reflects how long CLFE has been present in the town and the relationships built over decades by staff and volunteers.

“People know who Community Living Fort Erie is,” said Samlall. “They know what we do and they stand by it. The organization has been part of this community for so long, and that foundation really shows.”

CLFE supports people with developmental disabilities through residential services, family support and community participation programs. Its summer camps and employment program focus on people roughly aged 14 to 26, offering resume help, training, volunteer placements and chances to practice independent living skills.

Many of those services receive limited government funding, so local donations help keep programs running and pay for staffing, transportation and outings.

Samlall said the goal is to keep camp fees as low as possible for families in Greater Fort Erie, especially as inflation takes its toll and costs rise for food, fuel and activities. The group wants to avoid turning away youth who would benefit from structured summer days and support.

Residents who want to support CLFE’s efforts can donate at clfe.ca or by watching the organization’s website and social media for future fundraising and volunteer opportunities.

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