Luther Memorial Benefit Boasts Cookies, Fair Trade

Cookies, goodwill and benevolence won't be hard to come by this weekend at a local church holiday market where proceeds will be donated outside the congregation.

Luther Memorial Church of Chicago will host its Saint Nicholas Holiday Market and Fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Sunday in the lower level of it building at 2500 W. Wilson Avenue.

"The goal of the fundraiser is to give it back and not keep any of the money raised," said Jerry Giese, congregational committee chair. "It's neighborhood, state, international. The fundraiser is not for us, but it's for other people at Christmastime."

When Giese referenced "neighborhood, state and international," he was referring to three groups that benefit from the fundraiser, which is free to attend for all members of the community. This year’s profits will be donated locally to Waters Elementary School, on an Illinois level to summer camp scholarships for Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, and internationally toward Mission work in Tanzania through Lutheran Global Outreach.

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"It's part of our advent and Christian giving discipline part of Christmas," Giese said. "We call it a fundraiser but we don't keep any of the profits."

One of the most renown aspects of the event, which is in its eighth year, is the cookie walk. Those from the congregation bake anywhere from 50 to 70 pounds of cookies in preparation for the day and Giese said they come in all varieties.

"You'll find bakery prices with a charity premium," he said, noting that cookies are typically $12 per pound. "There are chocolate covered pretzels, fudge … one year, we had potato chip cookies. There's Rosemary shortbread, coffee cookies. It's all good, homemade stuff. Bakery you really can't find anywhere else."

A separate Christmas tree raffle is featured for children, Giese noted, and handcrafted merchandise and fair trade items will be for sale.

"Part of it is, you know, you get to know the people in your church when you work together," Giese said. "It's as much of a team building exercise within the congregation as it is a giving exercise outside of the congregation."

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