A committee from Hope Community Church is helping to fight cancer one cookie at a time.

On Dec. 2, the church will host the seventh annual Cookies and Crafts for a Cure from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church, 2390 Lake St.. Proceeds from concessions and vendor table rentals will support the cause.

Attending is free and open to the public. Those who visit the event can purchase cookies for $7 per pound, as well as browse more than 40 craft vendors. Breakfast and lunch concessions will also be available and will further support the event’s cause. Additionally, there will be a visit from Santa Claus and Christmas music.

This year the event will be organized by Niles’ Becki Byers, Margaret Dawson and Kathy Jones. In addition to putting the event together, the women will select a local cancer fighting charity to donate the funds to.

For Byers, the event is personal. 

Byers has fought two battles with cancer — first in 2010 with lymphoma and then again in 2016, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Throughout her treatment, support from her family and the Niles community helped to make the fight a little less weary. Now cancer free, Byers said she wanted to has join forces with others from Hope Community Church to support local cancer fighting agencies, with the aim to provide the support she received in her own battle against cancer. 

More than 400 people are anticipated to attend. Last year’s event successfully raised more than $1,000. A portion of those proceeds supported Hope Grows and the Livestrong program.

Keeping funds local is a big emphasis.

“It just keeps growing,” Byers said. “We donate all of our proceeds to something cancer related in the Niles-Buchanan area.”

Fighting cancer is tough enough, but for many getting to appointments or covering basic costs can be an additional burden. During her own fight with cancer, Byers said she saw many across Berrien County who were in need of a support system.

“[I saw] so many people sitting in the chemotherapy rooms without a family or friend there,” Byers said. “It really inspires us to do better.”

Byers said she plans to donate her portion of the proceeds to Hope Grows, where she has served as a board member for the past five years. The organization is a partnership with the Niles-Buchanan YMCA and Lakeland Health and supports various services for oncology patients, including free transportation to treatments or covering the cost of hotel rooms if travel to treatment is necessary.

Longtime crafter Sandy Klekowski said she sells her handmade cards, dishtowels and a number of other things during the event.

“It’s more than just cookies and crafts,” Klekowski said.

Seeing the community come together for a worthy cause is what has inspired Klekowski to return to the event year after year.

Those interested in donating cookies are welcome to drop them off at Hope Community Church the day before or during the event. There are still craft booth spots available, which can be applied for by contacting Byers’ via email at bekkon@aol.com. Renting a table costs $20. The deadline to apply is Nov. 23. Those who donate three dozen cookies will get the first vendor table free.

For more information visit the event’s Facebook page at facebook.com/Cookies-and-Crafts-for-a-Cure.

Byers encouraged the public to attend.

“Cancer touches everybody,” Byers said. “There is a great need for help in this community. Also, it is fun. It is a fun day, there will be concessions, food and music. The local support for our community is a great need.”