While most of Collinwood was shopping and preparing to celebrate the holidays, two groups of youth did events raising money for local non-profit organizations they felt strongly needed help. Their efforts were successful in more than just fundraising.

Collinwood residents Jessica, Forrest, and Meghan put together their third Christmas tea at the home of Lorraine Bertosa to raise funds for Under the Wing, a non-profit that, along with medical care and adoption, provides emergency foster care for animals whose owners have had to go into shelter.  

Collinwood resident Devlin attended the tea for Under the Wing at the invitation of Jessica last year and was inspired to organize a fundraiser of his own. He wanted to raise funds for children spending the holidays in Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital. With the help of his mother, Louise Foresman, Devlin and friends Aaron, Arlando, Dakota, Jessica, and this year Savion, made Christmas cookies and sold them door-to-door in the Beulah Park and Shore Acres neighborhoods. The Christmas tea raised $400 for Under the Wing. The cookie project, in its second year, raised $75 for Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital.

The Christmas tea grew from a visit to an Olmsted Falls bakery where Lorraine Bertosa took Forrest and friends after a sledding trip. Lorraine noticed how delighted the girls were at the bakery’s tea service. When the girls were trying to decide on a fundraiser, she suggested a holiday tea in her living room, inviting neighbors that might contribute to Under the Wing, a group she knew about. The first event was a success and a tradition was born. 

Planning for the Christmas tea starts six weeks before the December event. The girls do a new invitation and menu each year and make all the dishes themselves with help from Lorraine. This year’s fare included macaroni and cheese, crepes Suzette, egg salad sandwiches, squash soup, cookies, and, of course, tea. The day before, they set up tables in Lorraine’s living room, complete with decorations, tablecloths, napkins and place settings where their customers can enjoy the warmth of the season. This year, they also did a raffle with donated items from area businesses, including Christine’s Restaurant on Vine Street and artists Joan of Art and Laura and Gary Dumm.

“It was a good experience”, says Jessica. “I liked helping people and animals, and the shelter really appreciates it.” Lorraine says the event also gives people a chance to sit and converse at a busy holiday time. “The first year the girls had to practice pouring the tea for family members beforehand so they could get used to serving people who were sitting down.” 

After being inspired by Jessica and her friends, Devlin’s first step in fundraising was to identify the cookies to make and the friends to help with his project. He bought a holiday cookie magazine and decided to make cut-out cookies, both sand tarts and gingerbread as well as brownies. Except for the brownies, all baked goods are made from scratch. The gingerbread recipe was a favorite of Devlin’s great grandmother, a pastry cook. This year, the boys also made “cherry winks,” a favorite of Devlin’s grandmother. Dave’s Supermarket on Lakeshore Boulevard generously donated funds for cookie ingredients.

Devlin’s mom called Rainbow Babies and found the “Circle of Friends” program, where people can do fundraising projects together for Rainbow. Charlene Matthews from the hospital’s development department provided brochures about the program so that people buying the cookies would know where the money was going.   

After an afternoon of cookie-making and decorating, the boys headed out to sell their wares. Just one person fell in a soggy puddle last year, and the two-year total raised for the cookie project is at about $200. Devlin hopes to make it a little easier next year by taking pre-orders. “People who want Christmas cookies can even call us," he says.

Following the project, the boys visited Ms. Matthews at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital to present a check for the money they raised year. She gave them a tour and told them how the funds would be used for medical needs for Rainbow patients. “It’s good doing something for people who need help,” commented Devlin. With ambitious youth like these, Collinwood has a lot to be proud of! 

Under the Wing has a web site www.vgsjob.org/utw.htm You can reach Circle of Friends at www.rainbowcirleoffriends.org or (216) 844-8728.