Cookies for Kids Cancer to Host Annual Bake Sale at Festifall

By Nicole Bitette

Cookies for Kids Cancer started out small. Well, 96,000 cookies by just one woman, small.  

Gretchen Witts and 250 volunteers baked the cookies to sell to raise money for pediatric cancer research, after Gretchen’s 2-year-old son Liam was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2007.

Liam lost his battle at the age of 6, but Mountainside resident Marilyn Atlas-Berney and volunteers throughout the United States are raising money for pediatric cancer research through bake sales known as “Cookies for Kids Cancer.”

Atlas-Berney will host the third annual Cookies for Kids Bake Sale at Westfield’s Festifall on Sept. 22. Last year, the organization raised about $3,100 and in its first year about $2,600. 

“Our goal this year is about $3,500,” Atlas-Berney said. “With the community support I believe we are well on our way.”

Atlas-Berney and about three dozen volunteers from the Mountainside/Westfield area make the bake sale possible by baking, packaging, setting up, working the booth and more. Additionally, Bovella’s, Carlo’s Bakery, Vaccaro’s and Nordstrom Café are also donating baked goods to the cause. Staples will also be donating supplies to the bake sale.

When Atlas-Berney first heard of the organization, her sister-in-law was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood lymphoma, and the timing just seemed right for her to get involved, she said. 

“It’s a nice way to be involved in the community,” she added.

Atlas-Berney was recently named one of Cookies for Kids Cancer "Good Cookie Ambassador" along with about 30 others from across the United States.

She said said the volunteers are hoping everyone will stop by at the Festifall and show their support. Those interested in being a part of the cause can volunteer by contacting her at mabesq@verizon.net. For more information on Cookies For Kids Cancer, visit the organization’s website.