Cookie Project for Bulgarian Orphans

Nine year old Hannah Gardner decided that she would like to raise money for birthday parties for one orphanage for a full year. Hannah wrote a letter to the community describing the birthday party fundraiser for the orphans. She then approached her Achievement Days’ leader at her church. Emily Gladwin and co-leader Jenny Beykirch were excited to take it on as a group project. Together the group would go door-to-door selling gourmet cookie mixes--created and purchased at cost from a local specialty store, Kitchen Kneads.  

Leaders and the thirteen girls between the ages of 8 and 11 then created fundraising folders complete with brochures, pictures of orphans, a recent local article about  “One Heart Bulgaria,” Hannah’s letter to the community and cookie order forms. The girls and their moms contacted people in their assigned section of the community and took orders.

Once the orders were in-- the girls, leaders, and a few moms assembled the cookie mixes and delivered them. They raised enough money for birthday parties for a full year at THREE separate orphanages—a total of $1,054!

All the girls had a great experience and learned a lot about humanitarian work. They discovered that a few can make a big difference for many. They are excited that their donation will mean that 300 orphans in Bulgaria will get a party for their birthday.