Museum offers cookies for Santa
Brie Little, district director for Texas District 11 Sen. Mayes Middleton, picks out some cookies to put out for Santa Claus during the Chambers County Museum at Wallisville’s annual Cookies for Santa fundraiser.
WALLISVILLE— The smells of freshly baked, homemade cookies filled the air as eager hands filled containers, hoping Santa will enjoy them on Christmas Eve night.
The Chambers County Museum at Wallisville was alive with holiday spirit on Thursday, Dec. 18, as many came out to support the Cookies for Santa fundraiser.
“It’s just wonderful to see the people who come in, and not only purchase cookies, but to step up to the plate and support our museum,” Director Marie Hughes said. “We have a great, great support system here in Chambers County and even beyond Chambers County.”
Because the museum is a nonprofit, it runs solely on donations from the community, and Cookies for Santa serves as a fun, holiday-themed fundraiser where people can take home delicious cookies.
“Whatever we have, they’re here. Whatever we have to sell, they buy,” said Susan Bollich, a treasured museum volunteer.
About 14 volunteers helped bake cookies for the event, including Hughes’ daughter, Tonya Burwell.
While Hughes got the dough ready, Burwell baked it the day before, from the afternoon until the early hours of the morning.
If there are any leftover cookies at the end of the event, Burwell purchases them to bring to UPS employees to show support as they ensure packages are delivered in time for Christmas.
Burwell noted the UPS drivers get excited for the cookies each year, saying they have already begun asking about them.
Those who attended the event were able to grab a box and pick whichever cookies they wanted, however many. Attendees typically grab boxes for grandchildren, neighbors, or for themselves to enjoy.
“We’re very grateful for all the support that our community lends to us,” Hughes said. “I can’t think of a better county to live in than Chambers County, because they’re just so supportive.
Hughes beamed with joy when saying that last year’s event was the most successful one yet.
Aside from cookies, the museum offers a perfect Christmas gift in its new cookbook, “From Tide to Table.”
The 160-page, hardcover book offers recipes from families around Chambers County, as well as contains photos of the families and some historical photos, for just $35.
All proceeds go toward maintaining the museum so it can continue preserving the county's rich history.
For those interested in visiting the museum, hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The museum is located at 20136 Interstate 10, Wallisville.