Still sweet: Valentine’s tradition celebrates 25 years

It started with an idea. What if we baked cookies and made them into bouquets to sell for Valentine’s Day as a fundraiser?

It was Kay Ritter who came up with the idea as a fundraiser for the Friends of the Gibson Memorial Library.

Now, 25 years later, Ritter has passed, but the cookie fundraiser carries on her legacy.

“Kay had two workshops for those interested in learning how to bake Valentine’s cookies,” Kay Raymond said. “She would share her secrets.”

The project combined two things Ritter was passionate about — baking and giving back to the community.

The fundraiser was originally the sole source of funding for the library’s summer reading program for kids. To this day, the Friends finance 100% of the popular summer reading program.

“She was giving back to the community with something she liked doing,” Julie Schieffer said. “It was something she wanted to do to improve the lives of the kids in the community. She wanted what was best for Creston and the library.”

Before going into the oven, bamboo sticks were inserted in the cookies. Once baked and decorated, they would be arranged into a bouquet and put in a vase, using florist foam to keep them in place. Finally, it was covered in Easter grass. The first bouquets sold for $10 for a half dozen and $15 for a dozen.

For nearly 20 years, everything was completed at Ritter’s house.

“Kay was definitely the commander of the Valentine’s cookie bouquets, and her house was the command center,” Raymond said. “If it was the new year, Kay and Ed Ritter’s home began to become inundated with Valentine’s cookie bouquets.”

Schieffer said Ed was gracious, letting the home be overrun during the cookie season.

“She had this handmade dining room oak table that seated 12,” Schieffer said. “For two weeks or whatever it took, her whole living room and dining room was converted into a cookie factory.”

In 2004, the group baked 100 cookies. By 2010, they needed 10 times that many.

On March 1, 2019, just weeks after the 18th cookie sale, Kay passed away suddenly after complications from influenza.

“It was totally unexpected,” Schieffer said. “It was like, whoa, what are we going to do now? How are we going to continue? It was just overwhelming.”

But like show business, the sale must go on. In 2019, the team regrouped, holding the cookie sale in Kay’s honor.

Though Ed was a huge help, giving the Friends Kay’s cookie containers, they needed to find a new place to bake and decorate.

“We managed,” Schieffer said. “And then we got better at it, made some changes.”

In 2022, the group switched from bouquets to boxes, allowing for more cookies to be baked at one time.

Though the Friends were able to keep the tradition going, it’s a lot of work. Schieffer said she starts getting her lists ready in July for the February sale.

In 2025, the group decided not to continue with the Valentine’s Day cookie sale. But the community wouldn’t stand for it.

“We weren’t going to do it, but they said ‘oh yeah you are. You can’t stop,’” Schieffer said. “So here we were last minute. It’s an expected event.”

Assistant Library Director Jordan Foote said the longstanding fundraiser is the one people most look forward to every year. “Because of Kay Ritter, there is a lasting impact for the Friends and the fundraiser for the library,” he said. “This is allowing us to do things we aren’t able to do through our budget with the city.”

The Friends have a rhythm now, one that Schieffer developed after years of watching Kay.

“Kay had it all so organized,” Schieffer said. “I learned so much just watching. When we started doing it without her, we had to modify. Our basics are good because of her. I don’t think we could have continued without observing her.”

In 2026, there was no more question of whether the fundraiser would take place. The community had spoken, and the Friends listened. Now there are six bakers who make the cookies prior to the days of decoration.

For days, a large group of volunteers will be working at the Pantry Events Center to decorate and box cookies. Hy-Vee donated all the supplies for the cookies and Walmart donates the frosting.

In 2025, the group made about 2,500 cookies. This year they hope to make even more as they celebrate 25 years. The two traditional options — six cookies or 12 cookies — will each come with a free bonus cookie decorated for the 25th anniverary. A special anniversary box will have 25 of the anniversary cookies.

“It’s more organized now,” Schieffer said. “This year it’s just all falling into place. We’re looking forward to it; it’s always a fun time. It’s a very social thing. We have our ladies that come in and frost and we have our decorators. Some men are involved too.”

Schieffer joked that around this time of year, people look the other way when they see her coming because they know she will ask for their decorating help.

When Kay was in charge, the colors were a strict palette of pinks and lavender. Now the decorators have branched out. While some cookies are decorated in reds and pinks with the hand of a professional, some come in blues or greens and may not be the most aesthetic experience. But Schieffer said that’s the beauty of having a handmade product.

“You never know what you’re going to get when you open the box,” she said with a laugh.

From to start to finish, the Valentine’s Cookie Sale is about one thing —joy. From the bakers and decorators to the cookie recipients to the children who are able to enjoy library programming, this tradition radiates joy and positivity.

“The Friends sponsor the entire summer reading program front to back,” Foote said. “Every single year they are able to do this. Kids are able to come during the summer, participate in programs, check out books, earn prizes. That makes a big impact on a child. And if you compound that to every kid in the community, that’s huge.”

Orders can be placed online or made in person at the library. They are due Feb. 5. There is a gluten-free option available in the six-cookie box. Prices are $12 for six, $18 for 12 and $40 for 24. All boxes come with a free bonus cookie. “Keep the change” options are available online to round up in support of the library.

Boxes can be set for delivery within Creston city limits or pickup at the Gibson Memorial Library, 200 W. Howard St. Delivery will be the morning of Feb. 13 while pickup will be from noon to 6 p.m. the same day.

“Without the support of the many volunteers and our community, this fundraiser wouldn’t have reached this milestone,” Schieffer said.