From the time he was six years old, Spencer Levy (‘19) has worked to bake the world a better place.  

Ten years ago, Levy began to bake and sell cookies from his own kitchen, donating all of the proceeds to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

“It’s actually a very funny story,” he said. “I passed a bakery that was up for sale and it inspired me to bake. I just really wanted to have a bake sale.”

Levy chose to donate to CHOP because he felt connected to the children there, even though he didn’t know them personally.

“I wanted to help kids my age, and I’m happy that I’m still able to do that,” he said.

Every year, Levy’s goal is to raise more money than the year before. The first year that he began baking, he raised 352 dollars. In 2017 alone, the tenth year of his bake sale, Levy has raised ten times that amount, reaching a total of 3,535 dollars. His overall total for the past ten years comes to a grand total of 16,372 dollars.

“I’m very proud of those numbers,” said Levy.

In 2013, Levy was rewarded for his hard work in the kitchen. He was approached by a CHOP representative offering to name a room in his honor at the Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care, a building to be built directly across from CHOP. The Buerger Center building opened in 2015.

Levy’s fundraising is promoted mainly through word of mouth, and has spread far and wide as customers return for more.

“My cookies are going as far south as Florida and as far west as California, as well as going to several colleges… and sports teams.” he said. “It’s crazy. I’m so thankful for their support.”

Levy is most proud of the growth of his fundraising efforts over the years.

“The first year, I raised a couple hundred bucks. Each of the ten years that I’ve been selling, the [money I’ve raised] has increased,” he said. “That is what I’m extremely proud of: how big this has grown.”

Levy’s favorite cookie, and the best seller is the chocolate chip. However, Levy bakes four types of cookies: chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, sprinkle

and sugar, all with fresh ingredients. Cookies are sold one for 1 dollar, six for 5 dollars, and 12 for 10 dollars. Orders are collected via email at spencerscookiesforkids@gmail.com.