Community Living Sarnia-Lambton (CLSL) is hoping to raise $60,000 during this week's Smile Cookie campaign.
Sales from the specially decorated cookies at Sarnia Tim Hortons' restaurants will go towards different programs and services available to help local youth and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities.
Executive Director Corey Thomas said the fundraising opportunity comes at a time when the organization is under financial pressure.
"We've had a four per cent increase in our base budget over the last 30 years and the cost of living has gone up over 60 per cent," said Thomas. "So you can imagine the pressures, just like everybody. Particularly, we have people living in congregate group care where we have costs like travel, gasoline and food, all those things you and I are experiencing increased costs, we are as an organization as well."
Thomas said money raised from the week-long campaign will help with programs and services that are not entirely provincially funded.
"Any of our services could benefit, but probably the ones that are not provincially funded or perhaps underfunded, so things like social recreation programs," said Thomas. "So we support people to be integrated out in the community socially, we host dances, we have bowling nights, we have book clubs. Then also we have a respite program both for children and adults both of which are partially funded by the provincial government, not completely, and it provides respite for the primary caregivers. So it's really a support to the entire family we are providing care and support to."
CLSL currently assists more than 400 local children and adults with daily support, respite, community involvement and social activities.
The national campaign runs until May 5.
In Petrolia, funds raised will benefit Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital and in Forest money will support the Royal Canadian Legion.
Lambton County Developmental Services will receive funds raised in Wyoming and Corunna.
