Last month I put the call out to CCC members to band together and help one of our own.  Your response was nothing short of overwhelming!  Together, we hosted a “Kitchen Shower” for CCC member Dianna Wara, who lost everything in a devastating tornado in late 2013.

Read about the call to action here:  https://cookingcontestcentral.com/the-spirit-of-the-season/

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, I was at my parents house in Chicago.  Every day, the doorbell would ring and either the mailman, the FedEx guy or the UPS driver would drop off another package.  Sometimes several at a time, often twice or three times a day.  The pile of gifts and donations became so large that I had to line them up in the corner of my parents living room to sort and organize them all!

CCC members donated everything from gadgets and cookbooks to bakeware and appliances.  Hundreds of dollars in gift cards came flooding in.  Take a look at the bottom of the photo – that’s a complete set of Pillsbury Bake-Off cookbooks!  (From the first contest in 1949 all the way through today!)

The words “thank you” don’t even begin to summarize the joy and gratitude I felt while witnessing first hand the generosity of our community.  Everything was packaged up and sent to Dianna in her temporary apartment while her home is being rebuilt.  She too was overwhelmed with happiness as box after box arrived on her doorstep.

I wanted to give my family a quick “thank you” as well for all their help in implementing this donation drive.  My dad happily cleaned up piles of bubble wrap and recycled box after box.  My sister helped me load up the car and send the giant (and heavy!) shipping boxes via FedEx to Dianna.   Of course, my mom, CCC charter member Debbie Vanni was there every step of the way!   She meticulously recorded every gift as it came in, so we could keep track for thank you notes later.

I couldn’t be more proud of the Cooking Contest Central community!  It is an honor to know you and be part of this amazing group.

In addition to reaching out to fellow CCC members, I contacted several corporations to see if they would also be willing to embrace the spirit of the season and donate.  Again, the response was overwhelming!  I wanted to let all of you know about these outstanding companies and their generosity.  These are companies you can feel good about supporting!   Stop by their Facebook page, send them a tweet, and, of course, buy their products whenever you can!

One outstanding donation package came from our friends at Hickory Farms.  After hearing about what happened to Dianna and her family, they wanted to provide enough for an appetizer, entree and dessert for her family to enjoy for the holidays.  Here is what they donated:

Party Planner Gift Box
All The Cellar’s Best
Spiral Sliced HoneyGold Ham 7-9 lbs.
Snowflake Pretzels
$100 gift card to Hickory Farms

Next time you are planning a get together or need a gift, consider something from Hickory Farms!  They certainly know how to give back!

Website:  http://www.hickoryfarms.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/hickoryfarms
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/hickoryfarms
Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/hickoryfarms/

Another gift came from our friends at Circulon.  Take a look at this 11-piece set of cookware!  The Circulon Symmetry collection in Charcoal is valued at $300.

Website:  http://www.circulon.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Circulon
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Circulon
Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/Circulon/

Every cook needs an outstanding set of knives, and there is simply nothing better  than Wusthof.   They generously donated this Classic 7-pc block set valued at $300!   I have used Wusthof knives ever since I started cooking and they are absolutely outstanding.

Website:  http://www.wusthof.com/desktopdefault.aspx/country-usa/wlang-2/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Wusthof1814?v=app_4949752878&ref=ts
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/wusthof

Our friends at DuPont Teflon also donated a package to help rebuild Dianna’s kitchen.  I have several of their non-stick pans and I couldn’t live without them!  Take a look at all that was included:

ProBake Cookie Pan with Teflon® Nonstick Coating
TeChef 14-inch Pizza Pan with Teflon® Nonstick Coatings
TeChef Art Pan 11″ Frying Pan with Teflon® Nonstick Coating
Farberware 11″ Square Griddle with Teflon® Nonstick Coating
Set of 2 Mini bake pans with Teflon® Nonstick Coating
Le Creuset Fingertip Pot Holders with Teflon® Fabric Protector
Nonstick 4-Piece Egg/Pancake Ring Set
Measuring cups

Website:  http://www2.dupont.com/Teflon/en_US/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/teflonbrand
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TeflonBrand

Along the way, something beautiful happened.  Word got around that there was a home cook in need of support and companies came out of the woodwork to help!  It felt like a scene out of “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

I want to introduce you all to the “Second Chance Coffee Company.”  Their goal is to “love our neighbor as ourselves”  and to positively impact the spiritual, social and economic condition of their employees, their families and the communities in which they live.

They donated coffee beans, a grinder and measuring spoons to warm Dianna and her family this winter.

Website:  https://www.ihaveabean.com

The folks at Kerrygold even shipped a variety of their outstanding cheeses and butter products!

Website:  http://kerrygoldusa.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/KerrygoldUSA?ref=ts
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KerrygoldUSA
Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/kerrygolddairy/
Instagram:  http://instagram.com/kerrygoldusa

Finally, my friend Melissa Lanz at The Fresh 20 sent over some gifts as well!  Be sure to check out her healthy meal plans and buy her cookbook.

Website:  http://www.thefresh20.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TheFresh20
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/thefresh20
Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/thefresh20/
Instagram:  http://instagram.com/thefresh20