You have to get up pretty early in the morning to beat the Cookie Ladies – at

Every Friday morning, Otterbein’s Cookie Ladies, Ruth Manges and Betty Bauer, sell their fresh-baked cookies to raise funds for Heifer International.

least on Fridays.

Every Friday morning, residents, employees and guests at Otterbein Portage Valley in Pemberville are greeted with the aroma of chocolate chip, sugar, oatmeal raisin and macadamia nut cookies fresh from the oven.

The Cookie Ladies, Ruth Manges and Betty Bauer, bake 12 to 15 dozen cookies each week and their baking prowess not only benefits those who satisfy their sweet tooth with the confections, but also people across the globe.

The Cookie Ladies donate the money raised from cookie sales to Heifer International, a nonprofit that alleviates hunger, poverty and environmental degradation through gifts of food, income-producing farm animals and training. The animals provide a source of protein, such as eggs and milk, for children, and generate income for families through the sale of animal products.

Since 1944, Heifer has helped more than 4 million families in 125 countries become self-reliant. Each family “passes on the gift” by giving one or more of its animal’s offspring to another family in need.

The organization was started by relief worker Dan West who, while serving during the Spanish Civil War, saw firsthand that “children don’t need a cup, they need a cow.” He subsequently formed Heifers for Relief, and in 1944, 17 heifers left York, Pa. for Puerto Rico.

“We have fun, and people love the cookies,” Manges said. And thanks to regular customers, the Cookie Ladies raised more than $1,200 for Heifer International in 2008 and 2009 is looking even better.

Those who would like to feed their cookie fix and send a cow to someone in need may call 419-833-8917.

Every Friday morning, Otterbein’s Cookie Ladies, Ruth Manges and Betty Bauer, sell their fresh-baked cookies to raise funds for Heifer International.

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