SAN LEANDRO, Calif. — Laughter and creativity were the orders of the day when
Otis Spunkmeyer employees welcomed five wish kids from the Make-A-Wish
Foundation to their corporate offices in late October. The occasion was the
second annual Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Creation Event, which honors the company’s
support of the Make-A-Wish Foundationthe world’s largest wish-granting
organization benefiting children with life-threatening medical conditions. Otis
Spunkmeyer has sponsored the charity for the past two years and will do so again
in 2010, offering wish cookies for sale from April 15 through June 15, to raise
funds.
“A group of inspirational children, a little imagination, and a well-stocked
kitchen were all that was needed to make this Wish Kids’ Day a success,” said
John Schiavo, president and CEO of Otis Spunkmeyer. “We saw everything from
malted balls and chocolate-covered cherries to jelly beans and sour candy used
as toppings for our cookies. The best part, however, is being able to bring the
inspiration of these wish kids to our employees in San Leandro. It’s a reminder
of why we support the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the first place. It’s about
people sharing inspiration and hope, no matter what they’re doing.”
Wish kids were welcomed to the Otis Center for Excellence and paired with
“chefs” from the Research and Development Lab. Each team was invited to bring
its own cookie flavor dream to life by pairing Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough with
toppings the kids felt epitomized “their” Otis cookies. It was reminiscent of
2008’s gathering when Karen, a wish kid from the Greater Bay Area chapter,
created Karen’s ChocKLeT Heaven Cookie, which became Otis’ official Wish Cookie
for 2009. Schiavo said his company would again offer Karen’s cookie, featuring a
rich chocolate cookie base topped with turquoise candy-coated chocolates and
classic marshmallows, as the Otis Wish Cookie for 2010.
Following the wish cookie limited-time offering last year, Otis Spunkmeyer
donated $75,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. To date, the company has
contributed a total of $150,000. It also offers a specialty oven and supply of
cookie dough to every Make-A-Wish chapter in the continental United
Statesbringing the magic of fresh-baked Otis Spunkmeyer cookies to local
Make-A-Wish events and fundraisers nationwide. Employees at Otis Spunkmeyer
World Headquarters and call centers across the country have supported chapters
with additional fundraisers, event sponsorships, and participation in local
wishes.
“Otis Spunkmeyer and its employees have been great supporters in helping us
bring joy to our courageous wish kids,” said David Williams, Make-A-Wish
Foundation of America president and chief executive officer. “Even beyond the
donations, their interaction with our chapters and wish kids shows how fully
they embrace our mission.”
Foodservice operators may request Official ’10 Wish Kits by contacting their
Otis representatives, visiting www.spunkmeyer.com or calling 1-888-ASK-OTIS
1-888-ASK-OTIS.
About Otis Spunkmeyer
Otis Spunkmeyer, Inc., a Northern California-based baked-goods manufacturer,
markets a trusted brand name in the food and snack industry. With the #1 selling
cookie dough in foodservice and a leading muffin brand at retail, the Otis
Spunkmeyer brand has come to be recognized by consumers as synonymous with
quality baked goods. Otis Spunkmeyer frozen cookie dough, prebaked muffins and
cookies, pastries, and other quality baked goods can be found in foodservice and
retail outlets throughout the country. For more product information, innovative
menu ideas and recipes from Otis Spunkmeyer, visit
www.spunkmeyer.com.
About Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening
medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his
dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest
wish-granting charity in the world, with 65 chapters in the United States and
its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers,
the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more
than 185,000 wishes in the United States since its inception. For more
information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit wish.org and discover how
you can share the power of a wish.
Source:
Otis Spunkmeyer, Inc.
