The trio behind the Christmas cookie donation drive, aiming to exceed last year’s 400-bucket contribution: Lexi Ormond, left, Jeremy Gaffaney and Poppy Brenssell. Photo / Supplied
The trio behind the Christmas cookie donation drive, aiming to exceed last year’s 400-bucket contribution: Lexi Ormond, left, Jeremy Gaffaney and Poppy Brenssell. Photo / Supplied
Hawke’s Bay’s Christmas Cheer Appeal could be unwrapping more than 500 buckets of cookies this year, thanks to three university students who have turned their parents’ garages into distribution centres for Cookie Time.
University students and local Cookie Time reps Lexi Ormond, Poppy Brenssell and Jeremy Gaffaney are spendingtheir summer selling buckets of Christmas Cookies across the Bay with a clear mission.
“The sales commissions help to pay the study fees, but part of the plan is also to get buyers who are financially able to either donate a bit extra or buy an extra bucket, or some Cookie Time socks, to contribute to the Christmas Cheer Appeal,” Lexi says.
The trio each store pallets of cookie stock at home, meaning their parents’ cars have temporarily lost the garage parking spot.
Lexi has taken over her father Chris Ormond’s Giant Brewing warehouse in Havelock North, which he says has now become “a cookie factory”.
“I’m looking forward to Christmas when they will hopefully be all sold and I won’t have to fight my way through cookie boxes to get to my office – which is also full of cookie related clutter,” Chris said.
Giant Brewing warehouse in Havelock North packed with pallets of cookie stock. Photo / Supplied
Last year, Jeremy and his brother, Louis, donated more than 400 buckets, placing them among the top Christmas Cookies sellers in New Zealand.
“We are aiming to beat that number so as many buckets of cookies as possible can be directed to families in need,” Lexi said.
“Most people have been really awesome and love that we are doing this for our community.”
Lexi said the goal is to donate more than 500 buckets of cookies, and Hawke’s Bay is getting behind the initiative.
“We’ve been so pleased with the amount that’s been donated so far, especially in a time that tends to be financially difficult for a lot of people,” she said.
“There have also been multiple instances where we have experienced people who are unable to afford a bucket for themselves, who have still chosen to donate money towards the charity initiative.”
All cookies donated through the trio will go to the Christmas Cheer Appeal, an annual campaign that distributes food and gifts to families, elderly people and children across the Bay.
