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Cookies at Christmas

Taking the joy of christ's birth to inmates and officers

At TJM, we've come to learn that small things matter. Maybe you've heard someone say--especially about those in jail--that they should "get what they deserve." Cookies are probably not what they had in mind. Still, every Christmas, that is what the volunteers of TJM deliver to the men and women in jail.

Beginning months ahead of time, we ask volunteers to bake hundreds of dozens of homemade cookies. We have individuals, neighborhood groups, churches and schools who answer the call. A week or so before Christmas, more volunteers gather for Cookie Week. With volunteers and cookies everywhere, we bring in, package, and deliver over 15-20,000 cookies. Our volunteer chaplains deliver the cookies to all the jail facilities in Hamilton County, Ohio on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Each incarcerated person receives a bag of cookies and assurance that someone is thinking about and praying for them over the holidays. A similar thing is done for Corrections Officers a few days earlier.

You may ask why. For many in society--incarcerated or not--Christmas is a very long, lonely day. In Hamilton County, as well as many jails around the country, visitations are not permitted on holidays. TJM volunteers are friendly faces on those days and, even if you don't like the coconut cookies, our visit breaks up the day. More specifically, we know that we're a people who hang our lives on getting what we don't deserve--whether it's grace or cookies. While a bag of cookies is a small thing, it's also a metaphor. One that matters.

TJM's Cookies at Christmas program is possible because of our many volunteers. If you would like to help ensure the program continues, fill out the information form and we'll get in touch with you.

where

Christ the King Church - Eastern Hills
5825 Islington Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45227

The church is located in the Madisonville/Fairfax neighborhood and their parking lot can also be accessed from Murray Avenue if you are familiar with the area.

2024 itinerary

Please pay special attention to the days and times for the 2024 Cookie Week program as the schedule changes each year.

Delivering Cookies

Cookies may be dropped off on Wednesday, December 18th (1:00p - 7:00p) or Thursday, December 19th (9:30a - 1:00p) at Christ the King Church - Eastern Hills.

Packing Cookies

Volunteers are needed to package cookies on Thursday, December 19th (1:00p - 7:00p) and Friday, December 20th (1:00p - 7:00p). There is always a chance we could finish packing early, so it is better to arrive earlier in the day rather than later when possible.

Picking up Cookies (Chaplains)

Chaplains may pick up cookies for their units on Saturday, December 21st (10:00a - 3:00p). Chaplains are expected to deliver on December 23rd, Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day. Please contact Shawn (shawn@tjmi.org) to let him know which units/pods you will be delivering to, when you are able to pickup your cookies, and when you plan to deliver them.

instructions and suggestions

Baking and Packing Instructions

1. Cookies should be approximately 2-3” in diameter for packing purposes

2. Allow cookies to dry completely before packing and delivering

3. Pack cookies flat, in a protective box with wax paper or cardboard between layers

4. Do not put cookies in plastic bags

5. Tins and containers cannot be stored or returned (please do not send us valuable containers you would like to receive back).
   

The following cookies have been met with great success:

1. Sugar cookies with sprinkles, decorated cut sugar cookies, colored M&Ms, chocolate chip, frosted cookies, oatmeal with raisins or craisins, etc. 

2. Peanut butter, pecan, macadamia nut, etc. are approved since we cannot guarantee any cookies are food-allergy safe 

3. Please avoid baking anything that could create jealousy between inmates (candy, fudge, etc.). 
   

Please share this with any others who may wish to be a part of this service. The below “donate or volunteer” button is helpful to us for planning purposes.