In an attempt to expand their “hug radius,” two friends, with help from more than 40 volunteer bakers from throughout the community, delivered their 1,000th dozen of cookies to essential employees this week.
As part of their Cookies for Caregivers project, Huntingdon residents Jeremy Uhrich and Scott McKenzie delivered 214 dozen cookies Wednesday to the employees of Penn Highlands Huntingdon, ACCO Brands, Huntingdon Borough, Weis Market and Domino’s Pizza.
This week’s donation brings the project’s total to 1,213 dozen cookies, which equates to 14,556 cookies baked and donated by members of the community.
“This week marks 34 weeks strong and we’re not planning to call it quits anytime soon,” said Uhrich.
The project started in March after Uhrich and McKenzie challenged each other to a chocolate chip cookie bake-off while in quarantine. Afterwards, they decided to donate the cookies to those working the front lines of the pandemic. From there, they invited the community to join them in their effort to show appreciation.
“It just exploded,” said McKenzie referring to the volunteer bakers who’ve stepped up to help. “We’ve had over 100 bakers and we’ve shared cookies with well over 100 businesses and organizations.”
In addition to delivering the 1,000th dozen this week, the duo handed out another 213 dozen, deciding to deliver as many cookies as possible to mark the special milestone.
“This week we decided to open it up to anyone who wanted to bake,” said Uhrich, noting there are typically five bakers. “We had 42 people step up.”
This isn’t the first week Cookies for Caregivers delivered over 100 dozen cookies. They rounded up 160 dozen following the May 12 fire in Huntingdon Borough that destroyed the Huntingdon Electric Motor building and left 59 Blair House Apartments residents homeless.
While Uhrich and McKenzie are met with warm receptions when delivering sweet treats each week, the project means so much more to them.
“This project has been a blessing, a joy,” said Uhrich. “Words truly can’t describe what this has meant to myself and Scott. It’s one of the most meaningful projects I’ve been a part of because of the impact it’s had on people in so many different ways. It shows what having pride in a small town community can do and how we can reach out. It speaks volumes of our community.”
McKenzie refers to the project’s reach as its “hug radius.”
“We want to challenge everyone to expand that hug radius,” said McKenzie, as he and Uhrich urge others to reach out and show their appreciation to others.
“If this causes someone to think twice and thank someone who works at a nursing home or reach out and be generous to others, then we’ve done our job,” added Uhrich. “We’re trying to reach out to as many people as we can and strengthen that hug radius and make it that much bigger. We’re all, as a community, reaching out and hugging one another. It’s what we need to do a this present time. We need all the positivity we can get as human beings.”
Uhrich’s parents have also started a Cookies for Caregivers project in the Palmyra/Hershey area and call their branch Cookies for Christ, as they’ve involved their church family.
“They’ve delivered 383 dozen cookies in 21 weeks and they’re going strong,” said Uhrich, noting his father is fighting stage four lung cancer and uses the project as therapy. “He really enjoys being able to be a part of this. It’s been very therapeutic for him.”
While Cookie for Caregivers has gained some national attention, being featured on ABC’s Amy Robach’s Pandemic: What You Need to Know in June, they’re looking forward to another big milestone this week, as their story will be featured in People Magazine Nov. 12.
Uhrich and McKenzie were interviewed by Morgan Smith, a writer for the magazine, last week and will be featured under the section “stories that make you smile.”
They’re also looking forward to being featured in the December/January edition of Taste of Home magazine.
The duo is quick to emphasize the project isn’t about what they’re doing, but what the Huntingdon community has to give to others.
“This isn’t about us, it’s the people within this community who have reached out in one way or another to help those battling tough times, who need a smile, who are working every day,” said Uhrich. “It’s about the community.”
The Cookies for Caregivers project is now working towards it’s next goal — 2,000 dozen.
“We must continue this because appreciation has no expiration date,” said McKenzie.
Uhrich and McKenzie extended their thanks to the bakers who have contributed, including: Rachel Kyle, Becky and Russell Bard, Shirley Powell, Anne and Molly Millar, Sharon Huff, Kaitlyn Oser, Miranda Peruso, Kay Reed, Beverly Norris, Stephanie Dye, Nel Kowalkski, Madison, Jim and Jen Troha, Julie Norris, Heather and Jack Pavlik, Peg McMahon and Emberly Booher, Lindsay Martsolf, Kristin Shoaf Roberts, Nicole Houck, Jen and Matt Powell, Kathy Oser, Steph Zitzler, Allison Ghaner, Jenna, Cassie and Danielle Mock, Christa McGeary, Chelsea Sarra, Terri Cornelius, Megan, Hattie and Molly Everetts, Grace Brindle, Susan and Emily Hartman, Emily Canner, Nora Tietjens, Robin Paterson, Catrina Reamer, Sybil, Kynnedy, and McKynly Miller, “Teacher Becky” Plane, Jess Guyer, Jenny Brockett and Tyler Johnston, Tim Launtz, Kristen and Hailey Shields, Noreen and Allison Harman, Elaina and Emma Clapper, Brianna Sorensen, Shelby Swanger, Laina Connor, Natalie, Gracelyn and Kaden Weller, Erica Lee, Erin McCool, Kathleen & Biddle, Barb Purdy, Cady and Ellie Kyle, Sheryl Oswald, Lauren Bowen, Stephanie, Kaiden and Ryder Snare, Heather Bumbarger, Linda Lang, Kaleigh Dale, Blair Cutright, Jess, Bryc and Stella Brower, Lauren Perow, Meghan Shoff, Brittany DeHaven, Rachel DuBois, Betty McKim, Allison and McKinley Holmes, Bethany and Ty Sheffield, Emily Elder, Shya and Mallory Erdman, Alison Goodman, Lauren Itinger of Taste & See Bakery, Shirley Powell, Patty Fellman, Carol Keister, Cindy, Darren, Kaitlynn and David Kester, Bonnie Haverstock, Sue Dodson, Renee Anderson, Ellen Filson, Erin and Brigid McManamon, Amy McMahon and Reagan McKim, Kaylee Querry, Lisa Kruse, Patsy Speranzo Gaugler and Eevee Gaugler Everett, Sue Black, Cheryl Ritchey, Kathleen, Marylauren, Gabrielle and Sophia Davignon, Brooke Binkley, Rachel Bliss, Stephanie and Ella Willis, Mayor Dave Wessels, Andrew Cooper, Addisyn Bracco, Shaelyn McGinnis, Mallory Woodward, Gwen Simpson, Emily Canner, Katie, Natalie, Lydia and Nate Thompson and Susie Scornavacca.
Uhrich and McKenzie always welcome new bakers and delivery suggestions. To get involved, join the Cookies for Caregivers group on Facebook or reach out to Uhrich at juhrich21writeon@gmail.com or 644-9883 and McKenzie at 251-4977.
November 07, 2020 at 08:00PM
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