The 29th Annual Lifesaver Christmas Cookie Extravaganza December 18

YK Delta Lifesavers have been sponsoring the Cookie Extravaganza for 29 years and counting. From left are Kathy Hanson, Beverly Hoffman, Tish Guinn, and Kathy Baldwin. Photo courtesy of YK Delta Lifesavers

by Beverly Hoffman

December 18 at 2pm the 29th Annual YK Lifesaver Christmas Cookie Extravaganza will once again be open to the public at the YK Fitness Center.

Covid restrictions had the Lifesavers offering pre boxed home made cookies the last two years. While some boxes of delicious cookies will still be available buyers will be able to pick and choose their own.

Bethel Christmas Cookie Bakers have donated hundreds of pounds of their favorite holiday cookies over the years for the popular Lifesaver Endowment Fund Event. It has raised thousands of dollars since it began. Proceeds from sales go into the fund housed under the Bethel Community Service Foundation.

Because of covid, flu and RSV concerns masks will be required during the sale at the YK Fitness Center. Buyers should get at the YK Fitness Center before 2pm as cookies do go fast every year.

The Cookie Extravaganza usually has 30 to 40 bakers donating their favorite Christmas cookie to sell. If you would like to help bake call Beverly Hoffman at 907 545-4499 or Kathy Baldwin at 907 545-1405.

With 29 years of growth to the Lifesaver Endowment Fund the Lifesavers have been able to support $10,000 in recent years to YK Fitness Center programs through:

*Beginning Swim lesson scholarships

*Free Teen Swim on Wednesdays

*TWC thrift store swim suits and passes

*Pre covid half price swims (will happen again)

*Underwater Sonar Equipment Training for Bethel Search and Rescue

*Annual $1,000 Donations supporting Bethel Warrior Swim Team

*Swim passes for Kuskokwim Consortium Library Reading program, BRHS Seniors, BRHS Honor Society, Clean up Green up efforts and more

*Open swim opportunities for fire evacuation folks from Crooked Creek, Aniak and Saint Marys

*Purchase of new equipment for the Fitness Center.

The Christmas Cookie Extravaganza is one of many events folks support the Lifesaver efforts. Donations can also be made directly to the fund by going to bcsfoundation.org, hit Funds on top of the page and find the YK Delta Lifesavers. QUYANA for helping the YK Delta Lifesavers Endowment Fund grow.