Homewood Sisters' Hot Cocoa Stand A Sweet Tradition In Its 21st Year

HOMEWOOD, IL — Two Homewood sisters whose mother helped them start a hot chocolate stand when they were just kids will continue to keep the toasty tradition alive for its 21st year.

The stand began when they were just 4 and 2 years old. Kayla and Mara Winfrey, now 25 and 23 years old respectively, hope to build on the success of prior years, funding the purchase of carts full of toys for donation to Toys for Tots.

Now both grown and living in Chicago, Mara is an economist with the Department of Labor; Kayla, a benefits analyst at Lockton Co. They return to their childhood home each year for the event so many say they would never miss.

Not much has changed since their first stand in 2003; the girls were bundled up and smiling behind a table then, and they're still the face of the operation nowadays. Their first ask was 25 cents a cup. Now they're open to whatever people are willing to donate—no minimum donation—with hopes of purchasing as many toys as possible.

Over the years, their brainchild has raised $45,000, Mara Winfrey told Patch. The sisters take the money raised, and swoop into Target the next day. They buy as many toys as possible, usually a dozen or more carts full.

The tradition has stuck in people's minds, and hearts.

"Not only do we have a lot of our old teachers and community members coming, but people who have heard about it on Facebook, who we’ve never met before make a point of coming," Winfrey said.

"... we have people asking us in October what day it’s going to be."

The sisters make it an event—a fire burns in the driveway for gathering. Visitors can stop in, or sit and stay, Winfrey said. Even their former second grade teacher makes a point of baking cookies for the event.

"It’s a family-run fundraiser, but it’s really made special by the community," Winfrey said.

"People will stand out rain or shine, every year, and kind of make it a whole event."

This year's event is set for Friday, Dec. 13, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Winfrey house, 1323 Hillview Rd., in Homewood. For those who can't make it, donations are also accepted via Venmo at @winfreyhotchocolate, or Paypal at @winfreycocoa. Find out more about the sisters and their stand on their website.