The gingersnap program was founded in 1998 at the request of former First Lady Barbara Bush, who told Lee she preferred the taste of gingersnaps to fruitcakes.

“Because this seems to be the opinion many people have toward fruitcakes, even though most people have never tried our wonderful fruitcakes, we began the gingersnap program to satisfy all types of palates,” Lee said.

All the edible delights, which are made using Lee’s 40-year-old family recipes, may be found at all Whole Foods Market locations, or may be purchased online at The Center’s Web site.

While some volunteers will be designated baker for approximately 245,000 gingersnaps, others – including residents of Willow River Farms, a division of the center that provides a living and work facility for adults ages 18 and above with developmental disabilities – will be in charge of decorating the 7,000 gingersnap cookie tins with their handmade art paper. “I can’t tell you (enough about) what it does for their self-esteem to have a job no matter how menial the job is,” said Lee’s husband, Bernard, referring to their son, Jeffrey, a long-time resident who participates in the gingersnap program every season.

In addition to gingersnaps, Willow River Farms residents also create and sell signed ceramic ware, woven placemats and rugs, and hand-dipped candles through the center’s artisan program.

Proceeds from all sales benefit the lives of all Willow River Farms residents. Alicia and Bernard said prior proceeds have provided a wheelchair-assisted bus and van, lifting equipment for the medical facilities, farm equipment and more that $175,000 in scholarships for residents in need of financial assistance.

“The more we sell, the more we give,” Alicia said. “There’s a lot of things that would enhance the lives of the residents that don’t fit into the budget and that’s where the gingersnap (and artisan) programs fits in.”

Looking for something different to give for Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s or Father’s Day, or birthday?
   
Feel doubly good about giving when you send gingersnaps from Willow River Farms, a Houston residential home for developmentally disabled adults.
   
Spicy, crunchy “snaps” are packaged in tins topped with gilded paper ornaments made by Willow River Farms residents. Since everything from baking to wrapping and shipping is handled by volunteers, all profits go directly to projects of Willow River Farms.
   
The gingersnaps project is the brainchild of first mother Barbara Bush, who suggested that, in addition to selling fruitcakes, the organization develop a recipe for gingersnaps. Snaps are sold in large and small tins for $25 and $15 plus shipping. For details, check out the Web site at www.gingersnaps.org or call 1-800-939-3720 or 713-525-8468.