Volunteer Cookie Bake 2025

 I am VERY thrilled to announce that the very first Volunteer Cookie Bake was a BIG success!  Volunteers from the visitation team, along with volunteers from The Royal Bank of Canada and 6 students from Amherst and Springhill, gathered together in the cafeteria of Springhill High School which was generously donated for the day.

A light layer of snow had fallen that morning.  Along with the Christmas music playing in the kitchen, and the smell of oatmeal and cherry balls filling the air- what a great start to Christmas preparations.

The team worked very well together, shared a lot of laughs, and of course- enjoyed sampling the product- (quality control!).  30+ dozen cookies were made!!!

Cookies were then packaged, adorned with ribbons, bows and a tag that wished the recipient a Merry Christmas from Cumberland Hospice.  Packages were delivered to all of the families followed but the PC team in the Springhill/Oxford/Wentworth areas.  Platters of cookies were put together for all of the residents and staff at Highcrest Nursing Home, and individual packages delivered to the inpatients at All Saints Hospital.

Finally,  two baskets of small packages of cookies were delivered to the PC nurses in Amherst, who then delivered to inpatients and outpatients throughout the week.

Gathering together for this cookie bake,  was a great amount of fun.  But the looks on the faces of the recipients when I delivered the small gesture of kindness, was what was most rewarding.  I had individuals respond with tears, a hug, smiles, and heartfelt "Merry Christmas!" before I was even able to wish them one.  And in every home, the same feeling.

"Why would someone do this kind thing. . . For me?"

And I would watch as their inquisitive looks at my unannounced appearance on their doorstep turned into a radiant smile on their faces, as I described that we just wanted to extend some Christmas Cheer into their home.  I even had a 4-year old boy leap into my arms out of excitement of having someone show up with cookies!!!

It was a beautiful experience. And many of the volunteers involved have since commented on how much fun they had, and what great memories were created.  It's a great start to what I hope will become a greatly anticipated event every year!