Cambridge Celebrates New Smilezones at Starling Community Services.
Bringing joy and comfort to families through Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign
Cambridge, Ontario – November 18, 2024 – Starling Community Services is thrilled to announce the grand opening of two new Smilezones within the Child and Parent Place (CAPP) program in Cambridge, Ontario. Created to make health centers more inviting, Smilezones are joyful and comforting spaces designed to support children and families.
Generously donated with the help of local Tim Hortons restaurant owners, the Patey-Skropolis Family, the new Smilezones were funded by over $28,000 raised through the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign. The bright, fun Smilezones include murals, sensory equipment, and interactive media that provide a welcoming environment for families, making their time at CAPP a little brighter.
“We are thrilled to bring these new Smilezones to Starling Community Services, creating bright and welcoming spaces for children and families in Cambridge,” said David Clanachan, Smilezone Foundation Board Member. “Our goal is to provide an environment that brings joy and comfort to families during challenging times, and this would not have been possible without the incredible support of the Patey-Skropolis Family and the generous Tim Hortons community. We’re excited to see the positive impact these Smilezones will have on children’s lives in this community.”
Smilezone builds are designed to transform spaces into vibrant, comforting environments that offer children a respite from their challenges. Each Smilezone provides children with moments of joy, distraction, and comfort by incorporating colourful murals, sensory activities, and interactive media.
These Smilezones provide us with fun and welcoming spaces that will support kids who require supervised access with their parents,” said John Colangeli, CEO Starling Community Services. “We are so grateful to the Patey-Skropolis Family, Tim Hortons Community and Smilezone for investing in children and youth in Cambridge.”
“Supporting the creation of these Smilezones is incredibly meaningful for our family and our Tim Hortons community,” said Johnny Patey on behalf of the Patey-Skropolis Family. “We are grateful to everyone who contributed through the Smile Cookie Campaign, helping bring joy and comfort to children and families at Starling Community Services. It’s inspiring to see how a simple act of kindness can positively impact young lives.”
ABOUT SMILEZONE FOUNDATION:
Smilezone Foundation is a registered charity in Oakville, Ontario committed to improving the lives of children receiving medical treatment at health facilities across Canada. In 2012 founders Adam Graves and Scott Bachly were approached to make a financial contribution to the construction of a local hospital. Through partnerships with hospitals, community centers, and other organizations, Smilezone creates accessible, fun, and therapeutic environments where children can heal and thrive. Smilezone has transformed 400 spaces into Smilezones across Canada, benefiting over 83 communities and reaching more than 340,000 children annually. For more information, visit www.smilezone.com.
ABOUT STARLING COMMUNITY SERVICES:
Starling Community Services (formerly Lutherwood) is a progressive, not-for-profit that annually provides children’s mental health, employment, and housing services to more than 18,000 people of diverse identities within Waterloo Region and Wellington County. Child and Parent Place (CAPP) helps separated/divorced parents and non-custodual parties maintain relationships with their children by offering a safe, child focused and neutral environment for visits and exchanges.
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For more information:
Micki Benedetti
Smilezone Foundation
P: 905-466-2575
benedetti.micki@gmail.com
Please click the link to download the PDF version of this press release: Smilezone – Starling Press Release FINAL
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