MECHANICSVILLE, Va. -- It’s a sure sign even before you step foot inside Amy McKnight’s home that this baker’s heart beeps with kindness.
The Mechanicsville mom spends lots of time passing the time by turning up the heat.
Amy is the founder of the Richmond Chapter of Cookies for Caregivers.
“I think it fills me with happiness. I think it is creative. I’ve been baking all of my life,” McKnight said. “My favorite is a lavender shortbread cookie. I mean who doesn’t love cookies. We’ve had red velvet cookies. We’ve had S’mores cookies. Professionally looking iced cookies. All different kinds."
The group is a national movement of strangers, like Niki DeSantis, who share a love of baked goods and doing good.
“We’re bagging the cookies for delivery. We’re putting two cookies in per package,” DeSantis said. “You definitely want to share the love and thankfulness.”
The cookies are delivered to staff at hospitals and nursing homes who work tirelessly through the pandemic.
Member Tracy Calvert’s cookies come with a simple message of “Thank You.”
“It’s one of my passions, so for me to be able to take something I love to do every day and be able to give back to people who are making a difference in other people’s lives that is everything,” Calvert said.
Some members know first hand how caregivers make a difference during a time of need.
Beverly Sweeney’s father passed away recently. She wanted to give back to nurses and doctors who give so much of themselves.
“So again, I’ve had a different eye-opening experience of different types of caregivers,” Sweeney said. “It doesn’t take that long. It doesn’t take too much of your time to give back to someone else and that is what I enjoy doing.”
In just a few weeks Cookies for Caregivers has baked and delivered 240 dozen cookies. On this day, more than 1,000 cookies were dropped off at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
Amy McKnight doesn’t plan on turning the oven off any time soon. She and her merry band of bakers prove a cookie can do more than satisfy the sweet tooth, it can also warm the heart.
“I think I grow as a person when I do something for someone else,” McKnight said. “I think they appreciate how hard they’re working and it means something to the rest of us around here. They’re keeping us safe and healthy. And we appreciate it.”
If you would like to the cookie movement or donate supplies to Cookies for Caregivers, click here.
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