The smell of vanilla, chocolate and peppermint filled the air at Grace United Methodist Church as numerous people packed their crisp white boxes full of cookies by the dozens.
The event was packed with people. Children were taking pictures with Santa Claus, and there were multiple performances by various local artists and groups.
According to Mike Kosolahpoff, event coordinator, the event had about 20,000-25,000 cookies this year.
“My favorite thing about this event was the atmosphere," Kosolahpoff said. "It was so nice. There was Santa Claus, the youth choir performed, there were lots of good cookies and it just created a good family atmosphere that was just in time for the holidays.”
This year marked the annual Cookie Walk’s 20th year. The WeHelp Coalition of Churches orchestrated the event, and all of the proceeds raised at the event were donated to Habitat for Humanity.
“The coalition has committee members that represent each church,” said Mark Grantham, executive director of Habitat for Humanity in Lee County. “All the money raised through this event helped build a home, they have actually partnered with us for 12 years and we are currently building the 12th home now. There is a lot of work involved in planning this event, we have tons of volunteers like Boy Scouts, high school students and others that help with the set up. It is a community effort, and the whole event is just really something.”
This year’s proceeds went toward the construction of this events’ 13th house for Habitat for Humanity. Eleven churches were included in the WeHelp Coalition, and the planning for the event began in August.
The cookie walk committee began meeting every two weeks starting at the end of August. The committee was made up of multiple subcommittees that worked hard to plan a smooth-running event.
According to Donna Roberts, chairperson of the Cookie Walk event, members of various churches, community members and local bakeries in Auburn made the cookies voluntarily.
“Every single bit of planning and executing for this event was volunteer,” Roberts said. “We have had such great people on the committee. We always invite the Lord in before this event with a prayer, and we stay on one accord. We do feel truly blessed to have really, over the years, had such a wonderful journey.”
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
