Smarty Scoop: Local Ben & Jerry’s Hosting Hope, Love & Ice Cream on Valentine’s Day to Benefit Cookies for Kids’ Cancer!

Amy Christenbury was one of our first Smarty Moms. She is a true Smarty Warrior in my opinion on a variety of levels. Amy is mom to Hayes (13), Grace (11) and Grier (6). Amy’s youngest son, Grier, has been battling a rare childhood cancer, neuroblastoma, for four years now. That’s when Amy’s boxing gloves came on and she took on the role of championing the Charlotte extension of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. Just when any normal person would curl up in a ball, Amy took the world by storm and has been spending every free second of every day spreading the word and raising money for children’s cancer research. We at CSP could not be more proud of this Charlotte Smarty Mama!

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is a national nonprofit that raises money for pediatric cancer research through local bake sales, enter angels like Amy Christenbury and Lesa Helbein, also dedicated to this incredible cause. Cookies was founded by Gretchen & Larry Witt who were determined to increase their son’s odds in his battle against pediatric cancer by trying to fill a HUGE void in the funding of pediatric cancer research. They have helped raise over $2.5 million since their son was first diagnosed in 2007. Sadly, a few weeks ago, we got the heartbreaking news that the Witts lost their son, Liam, to neuroblastoma at the age of six years old. We immediately reached out to Amy and asked what can we, Smarty Charlotte, do to help?

Pediatric cancer research has been grossly underfunded causing the survival rates of children to lag far behind those of adults. Today, cancer remains the number one disease killer in the U.S. of children under the age of 18. Because of this lack of funding for pediatric cancer research, it’s up to grass roots organizations like Cookies for Kids’ Cancer to help fund the most cutting edge treatments and therapies available. Cookies donates 100% of what they raise to pediatric cancer research. We can help by buying sweet treats any time you see those Cookies volunteers, and there is an event coming up in Charlotte on Valentine’s Day.

The celebration of Liam Witt’s life will be in NYC on Valentine’s Day. Locally, the Cookies for Kids’ Cancer team will be celebrating Valentine’s Day for “Hope, Love & Ice Cream” at Charlotte Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream locations. Ben & Jerry’s will be donating a portion of their net sales including pre-ordered Valentine’s ice cream cakes (please order 24-48 hours in advance for custom cakes). Make sure you mention Cookies for Kids’ Cancer when getting your ice cream or cake! Let’s celebrate the memory of Liam and help take a bite out of cancer, one ‘good cookie’ at a time. With your help, Grier and other children like him might have a fighting chance.

Participating Ben & Jerry’s Locations:
Park Towne Village (1600 E. Woodlawn Rd) – Special sing-a-long by Beth Williams “Mrs. Bef”, Grier’s preschool teacher from 3-5p!
Myers Park (507 Providence Rd)
SouthPark (7800 Fairview Rd)
Arboretum (8200 Providence Rd)
In Davidson (202 S. Main St)
In Gastonia (3908 E. Franklin Blvd)

To make an online donation any time of year, go to Cookies for Kids Cancer.
To learn more about Liam, click here.
To lift Grier Christenbury up, go to gogriergo.com.

OK, Smarties, TODAY IS THE LAST DAY to vote for your FAVES in our first-ever 2011 CSP Awards! Please vote – remember, every bit of recognition for the local businesses helps so much. They are the reason our local economy can thrive, so take 5 minutes out of your day today to vote. Thanks!