I grew up in a home where my parents instilled in my brothers and I the importance of giving your time and money to bless those in need. They would always say, “Because we have been blessed we should bless others.” This is something I wanted to pass down to my boys. Last spring I discovered Cookies for Kids’ Cancer during a trip to the New York baby show. This not-for-profit organization raising money for pediatric cancer though cookie bake sales.
Cookies for Kids’ Cancers combines my love for cookies and my passion for helping children with cancer. I’m known as the cookie queen among my family and friends. My boys and I bake cookies on a weekly basis. In fact, every year during the Christmas season, I host a cookie party. I’ve also had the opportunity to make decorated sugar cookies for several special events. Being able to use my cookie baking skills to raise money for a good cause is a wonderful opportunity.
When I was 4 years old I came to know the evil that is cancer. My little brother Gerson Jr. was diagnosed with kidney cancer just a few weeks after his first birthday. This diagnosis would send my family on a painful journey. For the next two years of my life, I saw first hand how this disease destroyed this beautiful little baby. Just a week after his 3rd birthday his body was not able to fight any longer. The Lord took him to heaven so he could finally have peace. As I’m writing this I’m holding back the tears. I don’t want anyone to ever go through this. Since then I have been passionate about giving to organizations that serve pediatric cancer patients.
On the Cookies for Kids’ Cancer website, you can order an event starter kit and register your event. The kit includes stickers, tattoos, donation container, baggies, balloons, and brochures about the organization. When I told my boys that we were going to have a cookie stand to help children that were very sick they got so excited. They were involved every step of the way. I made flyers and cards to invite our family, friends, and neighbors to stop by our cookie stand and the boys delivered a personal invitation to every neighbor. They helped me decide what cookies to bake and helped me bake them of course.
I kept the cookies as basic and simple as possible since we would be making all the cookies ourselves. We decided on five different cookies, mint chocolate, peanut butter chocolate, trail mix, island coconut, and chocolate chip. Our favorite cookie to make is the Nestles Toll House chocolate chip cookies. I have been using the recipe that comes on the back of the chocolate chip bag since I was a little girl. Since it was fall we also provided apple cider to go with the cookies.
We set up our stand right outside the front of our house. My husband Maurice, had made a stand with two old wine crates and painted it with chalk paint. We put the cookies in nice glass clear jars on a small bookcase. We had a bubble machine to attract passers-by’ers as well as to make it fun for the kids. My boys took their positions behind the stand and were ready to sell some cookies. Logan was really into it he wanted to handle everything and wanted no help. Blake was into sampling the cookies. Costumers began to show up. It was really encouraging to have so many come out to support this cause. It ended up becoming a neighborhood block party. It was so much fun, in fact, we’ve decided to make this a yearly event for our family.
Hosting a bake sale for Cookies for Kids’ Cancer gave me the opportunity to use my baking skill to not only raise money and awareness but also to teach my boys the importance of giving and serving.
Please visit Cookies for Kids’ Cancer and make a donation, purchase cookies, or get more information about hosting your own bake sale.
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