Habitat For Humanity Students Sell Christmas Cookies
Support Habitat for Humanity and local students in Columbus by buying sweets and a fun activity.
By News Channel NebraskaCOLUMBUS, NE - In the Platte region of Nebraska, some students organized to create a difference in their community.
It all started when Columbus high school students reached out to help Habitat of Humanity — a usually adult-driven organization. Lori Peters, executive director of the local chapter, thought about how the students could help, and realized the nonprofit didn’t help their charity recipients move into the new homes. So, last spring, a student group was born to fill that need: the campus committee.
Student representatives from Columbus Public, Lakeview Public, Scotus Central Catholic, and Nebraska Christian schools gathered volunteers to fundraise moving costs for new homeowners, according to Peters.
One way they’re doing this is by creating ‘cookie kits’ to sell. Sarah Lasso, vice president of the campus committee, explained what goes into these: There are two options, a pack of 12 or of 24 cookies. Both come with frostings and more.
"You can just as I did ... be creative with it," she said. "That's what makes it a great fundraiser especially for families," she said.
The group’s Secretary and Building Coordinator Benjamin Janssen helped promote the fundraiser, which began after thanksgiving, through social media and radio. He said he learned organization skills in the process.
While the students split up responsibilities like that, parents chipped in to mentor students in baking and ordering bulk ingredients. Most of the supplies themselves came through donations by the local Hy-Vee.
After baking and selling, students will then use the profits to buy things like beds and bedding for a new habitat of humanity homeowner.
While about 20 kids show up per baking session, a total of more than 75 students participated in this project, selling almost 2,000 cookies!
Simon, president of the campus committee, said he was excited by how big the project turned out to be.
You can still make it even more successful by going to habitat Columbus’ website to purchase cookie kits online