The cutest cookies in the county raise funds for SafeHouse Center
In the context of the impending decision (whether made real or not) to remove all Federal funding from community-focused non-profits, supporting organizations like SafeHouse Center—a place where anyone who’s at risk in an abusive setting can find safety and shelter—becomes, I believe, all the more important. In stressful times, domestic violence rates tend to increase. Which means that donations from folks like me and you make an even bigger difference than ever.
These Corgi Cookies are a wonderful way to support SafeHouse while also bringing a smile to your face and enjoying a high-quality treat at the same time. They’re exceptionally tasty and decorated to resemble my beloved dog, Jelly Bean! Each features handmade fondant atop an all-butter, vanilla-scented sugar cookie. They’ve been almost instantly and unanimously declared “the cutest cookies in the county”—which is already amazing! But to make the offer even sweeter, the Bakehouse is generously donating $1 from each cookie to the Jelly Bean Jump Up.
As many of you who’ve been around Zingerman’s for a while will already know, the canine love of my life, Jelly Bean, passed away at the end of May 2015. (Email me if you’d like to read what I wrote about Jelly Bean after her death.) When she died, I wanted to try to take the sadness and turn it toward something more positive—something to honor the kind, caring contribution she made to my life, and the lives of so many others over the years. So the following fall, we started the Jelly Bean Jump Up as a fundraiser for SafeHouse Center in her memory. The spirit of positivity, hope, and generosity that Jelly Bean demonstrated every day is also what SafeHouse is all about.
This week the 10th annual Jelly Bean Jump Up kicks off! It has grown to become SafeHouse Center’s third-largest fundraiser, helping to strengthen its financial health. That means survivors of domestic violence in Washtenaw County can count on SafeHouse to continue providing the shelter and support they need.
The Jelly Bean Jump Up started at the beginning of the year with our cute calendars, and it’ll run all the way through March 25. That Tuesday evening the Roadhouse will host my good friend Molly Stevens, who will team up with chef Bob Bennett and the Roadhouse crew to create a marvelous meal—one that nourishes both our stomachs and our spirits. Just like last year, the dinner is generously supported by our friends at Vermont Creamery, whose incredible butter will be featured throughout the meal!
Don’t know much about corgis? Having spent over two decades now living with one (and the last eight years, living with two of them—Sprout and Pepper), I can say without hesitation that they’re some of the cutest, smartest, most determinedly stubborn, and also most loveable little dogs you’ll find. Writer Diane Bruk says, “For a corgi, every day is the best day ever, except for yesterday and tomorrow.” It’s a good lesson for me to stay in the moment when the various pressures of the world can start to work on my mind!
The Corgi Cookies are every bit as magical as the actual dogs—it’s hard to see one and not smile almost immediately. A delicious way to make a small donation to a good cause, and then make someone else’s day at the same time when you give them one of these cute cookies!
