On December 7-8, FCCLA hosted their annual Holiday Cookie Service event. Members of FCCLA went to the foods room after school for about an hour each day to bake and decorate holiday sugar cookies that were donated to the residents and staff of the Brookestone Meadows Care Center.
This was the first year FCCLA chose to donate to Brookestone Meadows and they could not have been more thrilled about it. In past years, cookies were donated to teachers or food pantries in the metro area. FCS teacher and FCCLA adviser Brooke Howery previously worked as a CNA at the Brookestone Village facility which is the sister company of Brookestone Meadows. During her time there, Howery watched as the residents always lit up when they were greeted by new people or events.
“When I was able to see the smiles on the residents’ faces when something fun or different was happening, it made it all worth it. I loved being a part of it and having ESHS students also being a part of something so special,” said Howery.
Every year this event is hosted, participation seems to grow more and more. FCCLA has provided students with fun ways to get involved and give back to the community. The cookie drive was one of many exciting service projects that allowed students to give up their time for something genuine and fulfilling. This year, dozens of students came together on a chilly Thursday to produce trays of cookies made from homemade dough, thanks to FCCLA adviser Zoe Conley. The following Friday, many students returned and many new faces were seen to frost and decorate the cookies with buckets of prepared frosting, thanks to both Howery and Conley.
“I think every year FCCLA hosts events and we get more and more students participating. We produced more cookies this year compared to last year. It’s the students who show up who make the event such an amazing turnout. These students were prepared and excited to make a difference in the community,” said Howery.
Juniors Gabby Valentin, the Vice President of Membership Events, and Ava Celese along with Sophomore Norah Friesen, the Vice President of Publicity, donated a few extra minutes after the event to take the time to deliver and distribute the cookies to the staff of Brookestone Meadows. Unfortunately, they were unable to see the residents but were promised by the staff that everyone would be extremely happy and grateful.
“Delivering the cookies was really fun. The people at Brookestone were so sweet, cooperative, and grateful. It was really fulfilling and I’m so glad we got to make them,” said Friesen
As aforementioned, this was one of many service events hosted by FCCLA. This year the club has already hosted a “Trick or Treat so Others Can Eat” event where members went door to door asking for donations of canned or nonperishable goods. Like the cookie drive, there was an excellent turnout, thanks to everyone who participated. FCCLA provides an excellent volunteering opportunity and they would love to see even more participants to help give back to the Elkhorn community.
