In Mitchell, South Dakota, a dedicated group of bakers is turning flour and frosting into educational opportunities. The Valentine’s Bake Sale at First Lutheran Church has transformed from a modest fundraiser into a significant community effort, involving over 30 volunteers and generating thousands of dollars annually for scholarships. This year marks the event’s 10th anniversary, culminating on February 14, 2024, with hopes of surpassing last year’s record of more than $5,000.
The bake sale was initiated in 2016 by four retired teachers: Gwenda Koch, Kathy Otterby, Joan Anderson, and Sharon Scott. Their first effort raised around $300 by selling cookies after Sunday services. Over the years, the initiative has blossomed, funding a total of 52 scholarships for graduating seniors and college students.
Joan Anderson, who coordinates the bake sale, emphasizes the community aspect of the project. “It takes a village,” she said, noting that volunteers range in age from three to 80. Each participant contributes in various ways, from baking and frosting to packaging and selling the finished goods. Children from the First Lutheran Learning Center help with ribbon cutting, while others prepare boxes for the cookies.
One standout volunteer, Brenda Mayer, has ramped up production since joining the effort three years ago. This year alone, she prepared 72 batches of sugar cookie dough, yielding over 1,300 cookies. Mayer, who previously made 3,400 popcorn balls in a single day for another fundraiser, enjoys the scale of her contribution. “Everyone has their own talents — this is mine,” she stated.
Her husband, Gary Mayer, plays a crucial role in sales, securing $1,000 in pre-orders before the public sale begins. “I told him he has to stop because we are going to be out of inventory,” Brenda joked.
The bake sale features beloved treats that have become staples over the years. Michelle White’s buttermilk brownies, made from a family recipe, are among the first items to sell out. “Isn’t that just crazy?” White remarked, reflecting on the success of what started as a simple baking project.
Additionally, Laura Weisz contributes gluten-free options, ensuring that those with dietary restrictions have festive treats to enjoy. Her creations, including sugar cookie hearts and Snickerdoodles, are decorated to match the traditional offerings.
This year, Jerolyn Dean-Dubro stepped in to help by making 22 dozen sugar cookies and 60 Rice Krispies-on-a-stick when one of the original organizers was unable to participate. The community’s support extends beyond baking, with volunteers like Marilyn Frost, a retired art teacher, adding artistic flair to the cookies through intricate frosting designs.
Behind the scenes, the organization follows a structured planning process, reflecting Anderson’s experience as a family and consumer science teacher. This includes identifying concerns, setting goals, forming plans, and executing them effectively.
Anderson’s passion for baking has deep roots. She fondly recalls decorating cookies with her sisters during holidays and still possesses more than 600 cookie cutters. The recipe for the group’s sugar cookies has remained unchanged since its inception, taken from Betty Crocker’s New Picture Cook Book, published in 1961.
As the bake sale approaches, the team is eager to break last year’s record. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at First Lutheran Church. For many, this annual event is more than just a fundraiser; it serves as a means to send local students off to further their education, all while fostering a sense of community and preserving cherished family recipes.
