Bright, engaging spaces unveiled to create comfort and ease for children and families.
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON (August 17, 2026) – Sault Area Hospital Foundation (SAHF) is celebrating the unveiling of nine newly transformed Smilezones designed to bring comfort, joy and a sense of ease to children and families receiving care in Paediatric spaces at Sault Area Hospital (SAH).
The project, completed in partnership with Smilezone Foundation, was made possible through the generosity of Sault Ste. Marie Tim Hortons restaurant owners and funds raised through the 2025 Tim Hortons Holiday Campaign and 2026 Smile Cookie Campaign. Over the course of a single weekend, the team from Smilezone Foundation transformed treatment rooms, exam rooms and care spaces into bright, welcoming environments designed with children and families in mind.
“Creating a healthcare environment where children can feel comfortable, engaged and supported can make a meaningful difference in their experience,” said Scott Bachly, Co-Founder, Smilezone Foundation. “We are incredibly grateful to the Sault Ste. Marie Tim Hortons restaurant owners and everyone in the community who supported the Holiday and Smile Cookie campaigns. Their generosity is helping turn important healthcare spaces into places that bring a little more joy to children and families when they need it most.”
Through the partnership, Smilezone Foundation worked with SAH and SAHF to customize the colourful murals, engaging elements and child-friendly design features. Each Smilezone is thoughtfully created to help ease stress and anxiety, encourage creativity and provide children and families with a more welcoming environment. The artwork at SAH was designed to feature local landmarks, wildlife, and a bit of whimsy.
“Thank you to the local Tim Horton’s owners – Rico and Romina Fata, Michael McNally, Ashleigh MacLeod and Ryan DiTommaso – for bringing this project to Sault Area Hospital,” said Teresa Martone, Executive Director – Sault Area Hospital Foundation. “Thanks to their initiative, children and families in the Algoma District now have access to spaces specially designed to bring a smile to their care experiences. Their generous gift, through Smilezone Foundation, is making more outstanding care possible at Sault Area Hospital.”
The project is part of Smilezone Foundation’s national mission to transform healthcare and community spaces into brighter, more comforting environments for children, youth and families. Since its inception, the Foundation has transformed more than 500 Smilezones across all 10 provinces, positively impacting hundreds of thousands of children and families.
The Sault Area Hospital project demonstrates the powerful impact that can happen when a community comes together one Smile Cookie, one donation and one Smilezone at a time.
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. The Foundation has transformed 500 spaces into Smilezones across Canada, benefiting communities in all ten provinces and reaching hundreds of thousands of children, parents, health care workers and families. For more information, visit www.smilezone.com.
About Sault Area Hospital Foundation
For over 50 years, Sault Area Hospital Foundation (SAHF) and its predecessors have inspired community support for our Hospital. Funds raised by SAHF are used to purchase medical equipment, helping Sault Area Hospital provide the best possible healthcare for every person in Algoma.
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For more information:
Micki Benedetti Megan Wigmore
Smilezone Foundation Manager, Communications – Sault Area Hospital Foundation
P: 905-466-2575 P: 705-759-3816
benedetti.micki@gmail.com wigmorem@sah.on.ca
Download the press release as a PDF: Smilezone Sault Area Hospital Press Release FINAL
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