Baker's Hot Cocoa Bomb Blitz To Benefit Oak Forest's Pikor Family

OAK FOREST, IL — A south suburban baker and family friend of an Oak Forest woman slain in August is doing what he can to support the woman's daughter and family in their first Christmas without her.

Patrick Greene, of Sweet Creations By Patrick, has launched a hot cocoa bomb blitz, to generate funds to suppot the family of Lauren Pikor, who was killed outsider her Oak Forest home in August. Half of the proceeds from the blitz will go to the Pikor family, Greene said.

"We were honored to have befriended the Pikor Family years ago and have been blessed with their friendship ever since," Greene wrote on the website. "With the recent tragic loss of their beautiful daughter, Lauren, we would appreciate your contribution to their hot cocoa bomb blitz in honor of Lauren’s daughter Eva."

Pikor, 30, was a devoted single mother.

"Lauren was a loving mother, sister, daughter, granddaughter, cousin, niece, and friend ... " family wrote in a previous online fundraiser.

"Lauren was a dedicated single mother who worked hard and strove to be an amazing role model for her daughter. She excelled in her career, and her faith guided her throughout her life."

Greene said he has known the family for some time, and was devastated by the news of Lauren's death.

Greene had worked with the Pikor family on desserts for several special events, and had grown close with them in the process.

"I was heartbroken when all this happened," Greene said.

He reached out to the family and asked how he might help, and they suggested help at Christmastime might be the most impactful.

"Eva is transitioning into a whole new world with the support of her aunt and uncle and loving cousins," Greene shared on social media. "We decided a hot chocolate bomb blitz would help the entire family during the holidays, but we need your support.

"... With your contribution towards this blitz it will help with schooling, books, clothes—pretty much everything a growing child needs now and of course, future expenses."

Greene offers a variety of hot cocoa bombs, including Elf on the Shelf gift box bombs in a six-pack or individual, Grinch hot cocoa bombs, and a six-pack of bombs. Special to this blitz are The Eva Bomb and The Eva Bomb gift box in a six-pack. All details can be found online. Orders are placed online. Once ordered, Greene will communicate with customers for delivery or pickup at central locations by Dec. 18 or 19.

Greene announced the blitz Tuesday and has been touched by the numbers of orders so far—more than 200. He picks a beneficiary each year, and while the fundraisers are typically successful, this one seems special.

"Nothing has compared to this," Greene said. "I think everybody feels for the family."

Greene isn't concerned about being inundated with orders.

"I’ll get staff if I need to," he said.