If you know us, then you know we NJMOMs love our cookies and sweets. But cookies with a cause? This makes it extra sweet in our book. Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is an NJ-based organization that is devoted to raising money for pediatric cancer research, the leading disease responsible for child death in the U.S. In 10 years, the nonprofit has sold over 1 million cookies and raised over $15 million funneled for research of less toxic treatments for pediatric cancer.
Not your average PTA bake sale
Back in 2007, NJMOM Gretchen Witt’s two-year-old son, Liam, was in remission from neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer that affects the developing nervous system. To pay it forward, her family staged nothing short of the classic fundraiser most school-age children do when they want to raise money for a cause: hold a bake sale. But not just any bake sale – the Witts (and oh, 250 volunteers) baked and sold an epic 96,000 cookies raising over $400,000 for research that time alone. A year later, Gretchen officially launched Cookies for Kids’ Cancer charity, which provides inspiration for others to raise funds by hosting grassroots bake sales, marathons, and other fundraising initiatives. Sadly, not long after the original bake sale and the founding of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, the Witts’ son lost his own battle.
Top chefs come together to benefit Cookies for Kids’ Cancer
Last week on March 6, more than 50 of New York’s top chefs came together for the 5th Annual Chefs for Kids’ Cancer benefit in the city. The sit-down dinner for nearly 500 guests attracted a recognizable crowd that included actors, celebrities, and professional athletes – but the real star is how one NJMOM made a difference just by baking and inspiring others to pay it forward. Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is responsible for funding 37 new treatments now in clinical trials that were made possible by over 8,500 grassroots fundraising events in all 50 states and 16 countries worldwide.
Be a Good Cookie
What does this mean? In Cookies for Kids’ Cancer lingo, you too can “Be a Good Cookie” when you host a fundraising event, make a donation, or shop their online gift shop. There’s no effort too small or too large when it comes to being a good cookie – from neighborhood cookie stands to 5Ks to community-wide events, every chocolate chip (and ounce of love baked right in) counts!
Here’s how to get involved with Cookies for Kids’ Cancer:
- Register your fundraising event here. You’ll be given support and tips every step of the fundraising process to make it easy and fun for you.
- Shop the online gift shop. Cookies are all-natural and baked fresh to order.
- Send special cookies in honor of Kids Who Inspire Us. 100% of proceeds from these special boxes supports research at the nation’s leading pediatric cancer centers.
- Make a tax-deductible donation here.
