Like kids in a candy store, the families of Pilgrim Community Nursery School had endless amounts of sweet treats awaiting them during the school’s annual Cookie Walk on Dec. 3.
Taking place inside the basement of Pilgrim Congregational Church, the school fundraiser is a favorite of the Oak Park community, and was the perfect event to jumpstart the holiday season.
School parents had previously baked hundreds of cookies, which were then put on display in the church basement. Guests bought their cookie boxes at the front door and were able to stuff as many treats as possible into their boxes during their walk.
Cookie Walk Chair Megan Galeener said the school had pre-folded more than 200 boxes, which were sold throughout the day to eager customers. Pilgrim School mother and violinist Stephanie Harris also provided holiday music for the event.
New this year was an upstairs family space for parents and children to congregate after completing their cookie walks, as well as a candy walk for children who have food allergies.
“We made [the upstairs] a place for families to hang out and eat their cookies,” Galeener said. “Also upstairs in the parlor, we set up a candy walk with allergy-friendly candy that was donated to us. The kids with allergies cannot come to the cookie walk because it’s not safe, so this was a fun way for them to participate.”
In addition to cookies and candy, the school’s teachers donated a variety of baked goods for the event’s bake sale, which contributed to the fundraising efforts.
“I think people had a nice time,” Galeener said. “Everyone was excited to come back again and were excited for the candy walk as an option for parents who couldn’t normally bring their children.”
More information about Pilgrim Nursery School is available at the school’s upcoming parent enrollment night taking place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at Pilgrim School, 460 Lake St.
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