Community Corner

Cops, Firefighters, Educators and Others Trash Talk in Cookie Walk of West Des Moines Celebrity Bake-Off

Also this week, the juried Cookie of the Year competition takes place.

A news release from the Great Cookie Walk of West Des Moines:

The aroma of more than 20,000 fresh, homemade, holiday cookies will fill the air again as volunteers across the city fire up their ovens in preparation for the ninth annual Great Cookie Walk of West Des Moines.

This fun and popular community event benefits the Youth Justice Initiative of West Des Moines, the city’s award-winning community restorative youth justice program.

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Held annually, the Great Cookie Walk is the combined effort of more than 320 volunteers from West Des Moines police and fire departments, West Des Moines Community Schools, West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, West Des Moines City Council, YJI, West Des Moines Christian Church, and West Des Moines businesses and residents. 

Together they bake and offer an unbelievable display of cookies in a beautiful holiday setting. The event will be held at West Des Moines Christian Church, 4501 Mills Civic Parkway, Saturday, Nov. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon.

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Getting there takes a lot of preparation. Here's what's coming up this week:

Monday at 5:30 p.m.: Mayor Steve Gaer will sign a proclamation declaring Great Cookie Walk Week for YJI in West Des Moines after gaveling the West Des Moines City Council into session.

Wednesday, 3-8 p.m.: Great Cookie of the Year Contest. This is a professional juried event for the dozens of community volunteers who bake cookies for the YJI fundraiser. The competition is in the kitchen of the West Des Moines Christian Church, 4501 Mills Civic Parkway. 

Thursday, 8:30-11 a.m.: Celebrity bake-off, again at the West Des Moines Christian Church kitchen. Five teams of four will compete in a friendly rivalry to win the coveted people's choice award in an event that history has shown to be a fun, loud and rollicking affair. This year's celebrity teams represent the city's fire and police departments, city hall staff, schools and the chamber of commerce. They're sponsored by local businesses and individuals.


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