Community Living to raise funds through coffee and cookie sales

UPDATE | November 17, 2025 @ 7:05 a.m.: Funds raised through Smile Cookie sales at the Crystal Beach and Stevensville Tim Hortons locations will also support Community Living Fort Erie.

ORIGINAL STORY | October 29, 2025 @ 3:11 a.m.: Two November fundraisers will raise money for Community Living Fort Erie’s summer programs that support youth with developmental disabilities.

Each coffee or tea sold at McDonald’s locations on Garrison Road and in Ridgeway on November 13 will send 50 cents to the organization. Then from November 17 to 23, the Tim Hortons near Central Avenue and Garrison Road will donate $1 from each $2 Smile Cookie to the same cause.

Sheldon Samlall from Community Living Fort Erie told Fort Erie Radio the events help bridge gaps in funding for programs that do not receive full government support, such as the nonprofit’s summer sessions for youths with intellectual challenges between the ages of 14 and 26, where participants gain life and job-readiness skills through community-based learning.

“Every little bit counts. Everything that comes in goes back to the community,” said Samlall.

One educational event Samlall personally attended with participants was a fire safety workshop led by local firefighters who demonstrated proper use of fire extinguishers.

“It’s more important than ever for everybody to be immersed in this kind of learning, and that’s what we’re trying to do here,” said Samlall.

He said the goal is to raise about $6,000 through Smile Cookie sales, matching or surpassing last year’s total. With one fewer location participating this year because of renovations, Samlall is encouraging interested parties to place pre-orders and bulk cookie sales.

Community Living’s services and programs reflect the group’s larger goal of ensuring people with developmental disabilities learn and work in meaningful ways within the community.

“We’re trying to break down stigmas and move away from an isolated way of learning, teaching, and skill building,” said Samlall.

Community Living Fort Erie has provided services and advocacy for people with intellectual challenges since 1957.

Residents can find forms to pre-order Smile Cookies at 141 Garrison Road or through Community Living’s social media channels.

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