CAPE MAY – The cafeteria of the Cape May City Elementary School was filled Dec. 2. Many families enjoyed what has become an early holiday tradition—the Great Cookie Exchange sponsored by the Center for Community Arts.
Parents bring children to enjoy a night of free holiday fun, including making Santa and elf hats, holiday bags and boxes, ornaments, cards and cookies, many baked on the premises. Santa visits, and there is caroling and raffle prizes, such as new bicycles and gift baskets donated by local merchants.
It takes more than 75 volunteers to pull off the event. Many have been coming for years. They man the tables with the crafts, give apple juice and coffee to visitors, and help children make crafts and sugar cookies in the cafeteria ovens. A long table is filled with all kinds of cookies, many brought by the guests. People come up with their decorated bags and boxes to claim their stash.
Bernadette Matthews, executive director of the Center for Community Arts (CCA), said this is the 19th year for the event.
“The Cookie Exchange was one of the first community building events the center held when we got started,” Matthews said, just prior to the event. “We were very successful from the very first event and we expect tonight to see between 350 to 450 people come through the doors. The whole community comes out for this. Businesses sponsor it with donations of raffle gifts. It is really the first holiday event of the season in Cape May so it kicks off the holidays.”
Emily Dempsey, a CCA board member and one of the founders of the Cookie Exchange, said it was an inventive way to bring the organization to the public.
“We wanted ways to get the community on board and involved so we thought this would be a great way to do something for the community,” Dempsey said. “We used to call it ‘Cape May’s best kept secret’ but it isn’t a secret anymore! The only thing we have to control is the amount of cookies some of the children try to take. But we have people to regulate that so we don’t run out of cookies.”
As guests piled in the cafeteria, many brought their baked goods and the cookie table stayed full, despite volunteers reaching in once in a while to grab a few.
Marga Matheny, a Cape May resident, has been a volunteer for about five years. She is also on the CCA board. “I help with the raffle table,” Matheny said. “I love this event. It is the most upbeat, fun family night here in Cape May. By volunteering you feel really good when it is all finished. The kids get so excited about the raffle prizes. They are trying to buy stuff for their parents. They’re so cute.”
Lynn Massimiano of Cape May, spends her volunteer time on the sewing machine, helping children make their elf and Santa hats.
“I only sew once a year and that’s here,” Massimiano said with a smile. “For most of these kids, this is the first time they’ve ever seen a sewing machine so they’re fascinated. Sometimes you get a hug once you help them finish their hats. It gets crazy busy but it’s so much fun. I wouldn’t miss it. I’ve been helping for about 15 years.”
AC and John Zumpano of North Cape May brought their sons, Peter, 6, and Vincent, 3, to the event for the second year.
“We heard about it through Peter’s school,” John said. “The boys loved it last year so we came back.”
Peter, who said his favorite part was making the hat, admitted he ate just a few cookies last year.
“I believe he ate more than a few,” John added with a laugh. “We all ate a lot of cookies. It’s a good family fun event.”
Samantha Weidman of Villas brought her five sons, Bret, 7, Bryce, 4, Gage, 14, Cole, 10 and Jayce, 1.
“We see a lot of friends here and have a great time,” Samantha said. “It’s fun, it lifts your spirits and gets us ready for the holidays each year. We love it.”
To contact Deb Rech, email drech@cmcherald.com.
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