COOKIES PROOF THAT BEST KIDS ARE SPECIAL.Byline: DANA BARTHOLOMEW Staff Writer SYLMAR - A cookie for every kid. That's the wish of Lynne Wasserman, who has given more than a million holiday cookies to Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. kids in after-school programs citywide. Days before Easter, the woman known as "The Cookie Lady" to thousands of students in LA's BEST afterschool af·ter·school adj. often after-school 1. Taking place immediately following school classes: afterschool activities. 2. enrichment programs, handed out her succulent handmade gingerbread gingerbread In architecture and design, elaborately detailed embellishment, either lavish or superfluous. Though the term is occasionally applied to such highly detailed and decorative styles as the Rococo, it usually refers to the hand-carved and -sawn wood ornamentation of chicks. "Yaaaaay!" screamed a hundred children at Sylmar Elementary. "You're all the special ones," Wasserman told them before handing out the goods. "You're the most special kids - and you're all terrific." Her sweet largess lar·gess also lar·gesse n. 1. a. Liberality in bestowing gifts, especially in a lofty or condescending manner. b. Money or gifts bestowed. 2. Generosity of spirit or attitude. is a tale of Hollywood meets the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. . The only daughter of the late Hollywood mogul Lew Wasserman Lew Wasserman (March 15, 1913 - June 3, 2002) was a Hollywood agent and studio executive credited with first creating and then taking apart the studio system in a career spanning more than six decades. once made gingerbread houses with family and friends that she'd give each year to LA's BEST. But her hand-baked gingerbread village couldn't keep pace with the program that now organizes 24,000 students in 147 schools for after-the-bell studies and sports. So a decade ago, Wasserman switched to cookies - made to order at Fantasy Cookie in Sylmar. "They're hand-dipped, hand-decorated - they're supposed to make you smile," said Joe Semder, co-owner of the family-owned bakery. They do. Five times a year - before Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas - 120 bakers at Fantasy Cookie toil months in advance to bring a smile for every child. And five holidays a year, Wasserman delivers 24,000 cookies to the children of LA's BEST, with a gingerbread house at Christmas for each school. "In the quiet of the night, I truly know that a cookie can make a difference," Wasserman said. For she said each cookie contains the spirit of giving back, of volunteering, of contributing to one's community. "It really feels great to know that you make kids feel special," she said, as she divvied up her chicks. "Who doesn't have one? Does everybody have a cookie?" "I like it," said Hunter Walden, 6, of Sylmar, admiring his canary-colored prize. "I feel so special." "I love her because she makes me cookies," added Kareli Flores Flores, town, Guatemala Flores (flōrəs), town (1990 est. pop. 2,200), capital of Petén department, N Guatemala. Flores was built on an island in the southern part of Lake Petén Itzá and on the site of the , 9, of Sylmar. "I'm saving it to give half to my brother, because he says it's good." LA's BEST - or, Better Educated Students for Tomorrow - is a nationally recognized after-school enrichment and recreation program. Established in 1988, the nonprofit agency partners with the city of Los Angeles
dana.bartholomew(at)dailynews.com (818) 713-3730 CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Lynn Wasserman, daughter of the late Hollywood mogul Lew Wasserman, gives out cookies to Pamela Yanez, 5, and other students at Sylmar Elementary School's after-school program. Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion