This summer, Todd Cooke picked 31 gallons of blueberries and baked 1,000 muffins to support the ministry of Living Water Adopt a Child (LWAAC). It was his fourth year organizing his fundraiser, which raised nearly $10,000 for children and vulnerable adults in Albania.
Finding Opportunity in Adversity
Todd and his wife, Melanie, have been picking blueberries from a Christian family farm in Louisiana for over 30 years. When their children were young, they enjoyed family outings to pick fresh blueberries. In 2016, after a devastating flood, the farm was closed to the public, however, still allowing family and a few friends to pick. In 2018, after seeing so many berries, going to waste, Todd, inquired about picking berries for local ministries. The following two years he picked 5 to 10 gallons and donated them to local men’s and women’s shelters.
Taking It Up a Notch
In 2020, the idea evolved into a blueberry muffin fundraiser. As a former chef and caterer, Todd had a tried-and-true recipe that he had been making for over 50 years. That first fundraiser brought in $1,500 for LWAAC. In year two, raised $3,500, followed by $6,700 in the third year, thanks to a matching grant from his employer – Albemarle Corporation.
“One year was an off-blueberry year, so I improvised, and made cobblers and jams with peaches and strawberries to supplement the fundraiser,” Todd said. “I got smarter, and now I do it during the first few weeks of peak blueberry harvest.”
This year, Todd and Melanie baked 40 blueberry cobblers, 40 blueberry cheesecake sopapillas and over 1,000 blueberry muffins. They sold their baked goods and 120 pints of berries at Tues/Thur night pickleball and Wed/Sun church services. In addition to the sales and donations they received a matching gift from Victory Harvest Church, matching funds from Albemarle and volunteer grant – totally nearly $10,000.
Fun Facts
- During peak harvest, it takes Todd about 25-30 minutes to pick a gallon of “Powder Blue” berries.
- He picked 62 gallons of blueberries this overall season, Memorial Day – 4th of July.
- Seventy-one pounds of Flour and 58 pounds of Sugar were consumed making all the delicious treats.
- The cost of the ingredients was $444, which the Cooke’s donated.
Your Turn!
Albania and LWAAC have held a special place in the Cooke’s hearts for many years, as Melanie went on a mission trip to the Albania ministry in 2019. The couple hopes that other supporters will host their own fundraisers, using whatever fruits are available, to support the work of LWAAC. Todd is willing to share his 50 year old blueberry muffin recipe, and ingredient spreadsheets, with anyone who wants to follow in his footsteps. Please contact us if you need help getting started, and don’t forget to check with your employer to find out if a matching grant is available!
