Country Neighbor delivers cookies for annual fundraiser

Dec. 21—ORWELL — Country Neighbor’s annual cookie fundraiser offered 38 different types this year.

The non-profit baked over 750 dozen cookies one week to ensure freshness.

“We’ve been doing it for over 25 years, where we do Christmas cookies by order,” Country Neighbor Executive Director Barbara Klingensmith said.

Proceeds from the sale helps fund the organization’s programs, which support individuals in need.

The fundraiser relies on staff and volunteers.

“The board is very supportive of it, and it’s an opportunity for people to see us in a different way as well,” Klingensmith said. “We’re an organization that, there’s only so much money to go around. We like to do things to help ourself.”

For Country Neighbor, the cookie sale is more than just a holiday tradition. It helps give them the financial flexibility to support the community through non-traditional funding sources.

Money received through the senior levy for food delivery requires the senior to be 60 years or older to receive meals.

“If you have someone who’s 55, who has come into a situation where something is wrong, it gives us that flexibility to do something for them where normally you couldn’t,” Klingensmith said.

She said the cookie fundraiser is popular every year.

“We’ve shipped as far as Utah, we’ve shipped to Florida,” Klingensmith said. “Actually had an ex-employee from years ago contact me. She lives out in Elyria, so we had a transportation run going to Cleveland. So we kind of met halfway, where she drove.”

For many, it’s about supporting the organization.

“I think a lot of is to support us, to support Country Neighbor,” Klingensmith said. “To know they’re getting something in return for their money, but they also know the money is going to a good cause.”

Beyond the cookie fundraiser, Country Neighbor also hosts two other major events throughout the year.

“We have three big events that we do,” Klingensmith said. “We do our golf outing the third Friday in June. We do our reverse raffle the last Saturday in September. Then we do our cookies. So those are our three big fundraisers.”

cball@starbeacon.com

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