From left to right, G.A. Home representatives Larry Newbree, Lisa Schmidt-Miller, Randi Dechow, and Chad Ecklof, the owner of Ecklof’s Bakery, are joined by Carna Smith, Holly DePerna, and Dan Tota for a photo at the launch of the G.A. Home and Ecklof’s Bakery Cookie Fundraiser on Monday, held at the bakeshop’s location at 832 Foote Ave. Submitted photo

The Gustavus Adolphus (G.A.) Children’s Home and Ecklof’s Bakery have forged a delightful partnership once more, creating a heartwarming alliance dedicated to bringing joy and sweetness into the lives of foster care children. Together, they are on a mission to sprinkle kindness and love through delicious treats while raising money to help the G.A. Children’s Home. Ecklof’s Bakery, celebrated for its iconic pink-striped cookies, has teamed up with G.A. Home to support the foster care system in Chautauqua County during National Foster Care Awareness Month.

The cookie drive was launched with a photo opportunity featuring six employees from the G.A. Home alongside Chad Ecklof, owner of the Foote Avenue bakery. Ecklof noted that the special cookie has been a staple for the past 20 years.

The fundraiser runs through Monday, May 23. Everything donated by Ecklof’s Bakery from the cookie sale benefits children and foster care families. Donations can also be made by calling 716-708-6161 or visiting gafamilyservices.org/lutheran-foundation. Contributions can be made via PayPal, Amazon Smile, or mailed to the Lutheran Foundation, 715 Falconer St., Jamestown, NY 14701.

Ericka Garcia-Allison, G.A. Home executive director, said there were 75 foster parents in the area, and there are currently around 90 children in placement homes in Chautauqua County.

Kathleen Maynard, family resource coordinator at G.A. Family Services Foster Care, previously said, “The funds we raise with the bakery go a long way in supporting the children in our care, like using it for respite, so we don’t burn our foster families out.”