DOWAGIAC — Soon, several local kitchens in the greater Dowagiac area will be filled with the smells of melted butter, fresh flour and caramelized sugar as congregants at First United Methodist Church prepare for an annual fundraiser.

First United Methodist Church, 326 N. Lowe St., Dowagiac, will host its annual cookie walk fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. For the event, more than 24 bakers will prepare different types of cookies, fudges and candies, which will then be placed on trays and tables throughout the church. Participants will be able to purchase a container at the door to fill with the various treats. A cookie container will be $8. A candy container will be $6. A Christmas sale, featuring new and gently used Christmas-themed items, will be hosted at the same time inside the church.

“There will be all kinds of different candies and cookies,” said event organizer Darlene Trussell. “We also sometimes have little snacks. … The ladies go out of their way to make something special.”

The cookie walk, which is put on by the church’s women’s group, has been going on annually for at least 10 years, Trussell said. All money raised from the event will be split between several local charities, including Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services, ACTION Ministries, United Methodist Community House, Hospice of Cass County, Crystal Springs Camp, Cass County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children), Cass County Cancer Service, Helping Hands of Cass County and The Salvation Army. Last year’s cookie walk raised nearly $1,000 from more than 100 attendants.

The cookie walk is just one of several fundraisers throughout the year that the women’s group hosts. Other fundraising efforts come from rummage sales and private donations, Trussell said.

With little more than a week left to prepare for the cookie walk, Trussell and her many helpers will be busy until Dec. 8, she said. Though hosting events like the cookie walk take a great deal of preparation, Trussell said she believes it is all worthwhile, because it means that the church is able to give back to the community.

“We do things like this because it is important to get out and to present yourself to people outside the church and let them know that we are there for them when they need us,” Trussell said.

With God’s help, Trussell said she believes the cookie walk will again be a success this year, and she said she would encourage anyone to attend in order to help raise funds for community organizations.

“[The cookie walk] can help others who need it,” Trussell said. “It’s really been a great event to have going on.”