STAC Campus Consumes Cookies for a Cause on National Cookie Day

St. Thomas Aquinas College Communication Arts students will host a “Cookie Craze” event on National Cookie Day, Wednesday, December 4, from 1:00 PM-3:30 PM, to raise awareness for local not-for-profit Baking Memories 4 Kids as part of a semester-long service learning project. “We are so impressed by the work these students have produced over the last couple months,” says Frank Squeo, CEO and founder of Baking Memories 4 Kids. “We already see many positive results of their efforts.”

Since September, STAC Communication Arts students have created social platforms, designed engaging content, developed a comprehensive public relations and digital marking plan, and organized promotional events intending to reach a younger target market. BM4K Senior Vice President, Christina Metz explains, “We know the work the STAC students are doing is helping us reach the Millennial and Gen Z demographics. This will help ensure that Baking Memories 4 Kids has support and volunteers for years to come!” By focusing heavily on video and social platforms, the STAC students have grown BM4K’s Instagram following by 60% in just over a month. The “Cookie Craze” is the culminating event of the semester.

Communication Arts Professor, Elaine Winship, leads students through similar projects each Fall semester. “Service learning allows students to build marketable skills and gain real world experience, while supporting not-for-profit organizations within the community,” she explains. “The immersive aspects are intense, preparing students for future internships and employment opportunities.” Communication Arts student, Elvira Vasquez adds, “This service learning project has allowed me to build my resume while crossing an important item off my holiday wish list—giving back.”

STAC’s “Cookie Craze” event will feature several cookie-themed activities, and a crazy cookie eating contest at 2:00pm! Students will be “crazed” with excitement on National Cookie Day, as they eat treats, raise donations, and spread awareness for Baking Memories 4 Kids’ mission.

Check out this cool promotional video created by Mark Keegan, one of STAC’s Communications Arts students:

About Baking Memories 4 Kids
Baking Memories 4 Kid (BM4K) has been creating lifelong memories for amazing families across the country since 2012. After his own successful battle with testicular cancer, Rockland County native and entrepreneur, Frank Squeo established the 501(c)(3) foundation as a respite for families impacted by childhood illnesses. Through our fundraising efforts and the holiday sale of our delicious chocolate chip cookies, Baking Memories 4 Kids helps children with life-threatening and terminal illnesses and their families experience a trip of a lifetime. Thanks to our supporters, by the end of 2019, BM4K will have surprised 195 families with an all-expense paid, week-long vacation to Walt Disney World and all the major attractions in Orlando, Florida. Our hope is that the memories these families create together will help them refocus, reconnect and re-energize their spirits for whatever may lie ahead.

Contact: Elaine Winship, 845.398.4329 or ewinship@stac.edu