Giving is sweet

Kacey Wisenhunt and Sydney McCurdy

Our patients remain at the heart of one of Fort Worth’s most beloved holiday events

Around the world, members of the Delta Delta Delta sorority share a common commitment: to treat and defeat childhood cancer. The Fort Worth Delta Delta Delta Alumnae Chapter brings that commitment close to home by fundraising for Cook Children’s patients at Cookies and Castles.

Started in 2001, Cookies and Castles has become a Fort Worth tradition. Many families consider the event to be the unofficial start of the holiday season, and in the 22 years since its inception, it has expanded in both size and support.

Kelly Hanley and Page Doby chaired the first Cookies and Castles. When considering the event’s growth, they described their feelings as “shock and awe.”

“The Fort Worth Delta Delta Delta Alumnae Chapter has a long-standing tradition of supporting the Cook Children’s Hematology and Oncology Center,” Kelly said. “When we started Cookies and Castles we continued the commitment.”

“The first year we raised $12,145, and we were so proud of ourselves,” Page said. “The next year we raised $30,000. To know that this little seed has become this community-wide way to start the holiday season … Kelly and I are just in awe. We’re just so thankful, and thankful for what it’s done for the hospital.”

Over the years, Cookies and Castles has adapted, but the women of the Fort Worth Delta Delta Delta Alumnae Chapter never lost sight of the cause. When an ice storm threatened to cancel the event, the committee organized a drive-thru pickup so families could decorate gingerbread houses safely at home. That model continued to work when the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the community from gathering at an in-person event.

Children who attended the event with their mothers in those first years now bring their own children to decorate gingerbread houses with colorful candy and icing in support of our patients. Personal connections brought many of the women closer together and inspired them to raise even more funds for our patients.

“To have someone that you know and a family that you love being served by the hospital that you’re raising money for, it’s kind of a full-circle thing,” Page said.

In 2022, Cookies and Castles adapted to the times once again as Kacey Wisenhunt and Sydney McCurdy chaired the first in-person event since the pandemic. As always, the cause remained at the heart of the event, and in May 2023, they presented a record-breaking donation of $140,000 to our Hematology and Oncology Center.

“Knowing not only the fun of what the event brings but also what the money actually goes to is what drives the event,” Kacey said. “It’s a good time to get together with friends, but it’s the cause that truly makes the event.”

Since 2001, the Fort Worth Delta Delta Delta Alumnae Chapter has raised over $1.4 million for our Hematology and Oncology Center through Cookies and Castles. Each year, more women come together to raise funds, decorate with friends and become passionate advocates for patients fighting cancer at Cook Children’s.

“It’s a testament to the hospital that we have it in our backyard. It’s here,” Sydney said. “Tri Delta is passionate about pediatric cancer, but it makes it really personal to be here in Fort Worth … it’s our hometown hospital. It’s so nationally known, and it’s awesome that we can support Cook Children’s in such a big way.”

For more information on how to start your own community partner event, contact Wendy Eubank at 682-885-7662 or wendy.eubank@cookchildrens.org.