Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Meredith’s Miracles raised over $107,000 at the 17th Annual Cookies with Characters event last weekend and also broke a record for the organization’s most successful year.

Meredith’s Miracles was established in 2005 in memory of Meredith McGlamory, a local child who lost her battle with cancer when she was only five years old.

“It means so much to our foundation to be able to raise so much funding at one fundraiser. There is a lot of work that goes into this annual fundraiser. It is so wonderful that our whole community pulls together to help with this fundraiser,” Meredith’s Miracles Executive Director/Cookies with Characters Coordinator Kiley Spears said.

According to Spears, Meredith’s Miracles funded 911 medical trips for families totaling $157,341 in the 2022 calendar year.

“We have had a 56 percent increase in medical trips since 2021 thanks in part to each one of you. Every dollar you spend at Cookies with Characters will help us send a child and family on very-needed medical trips. Since its inception, Meredith’s Miracles has funded $1,095,490.20,” she said.

Spears added that attendance for all three shows was just shy of 3,000.

“This year, our sponsorships definitely made a huge difference in our numbers. I would like to give a special thanks to Jeremie Shaffer. She is amazing and the one who headed our sponsorship committee. Our community has supported us for 17 years, whether it be through sponsorship, volunteering, being a character, or enjoying our event.”

Cookies with Characters is the largest fundraiser for Meredith’s Miracles, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization specializing in assisting families in 27 Alabama counties with travel expenses during medical emergencies. “We exist to bring awareness of childhood medical issues and to assist families with non-medical expenses that can accrue when a child needs medical services.”

Cookies with Characters helps Meredith’s Miracles set up for most of its funding each year. The remainder of the funding is produced through grants and the local thrift shop.

“There is absolutely no way we could do our event without our student volunteers and volunteers. The students put so much work into our event. The show reflects the hard work they have put forth. To learn more about the organization’s volunteer program, visit our website at meredithsmiracles.org,” she added.

Spears said those interested in being a sponsor can visit the website for more information. “Our sponsor slideshow is featured on our Facebook page ‘Cookies with Characters.’ Contact us to become a sponsor. We love our sponsors.”

Meredith’s Miracles is located at 408 S. Three Notch St. in Andalusia. For more information visit meredithsmiracles.org, call Spears at 334-427-5321, or access Meredith’s Miracles and Cookies with Characters on Facebook.