For Ginny Mowbray, the tradition of making candy during the holiday season results in more than just a sweet treat.  She turns out pounds of her sought-after Almond Butter Toffee to help her daughter, Pam, and the roughly 120 other residents at Community Living Centers (CLC). 

Mowbray’s candy, along with fudge and hundreds of homemade cookies, will be on sale at the 19th annual CLC Cookie Walk on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Farmington YMCA. All proceeds will benefit residents with developmental disablities living in CLC’s nine group homes and one assisted independent-living home. Six of the homes are in Farmington or Farmington Hills.

“The funds are used for extra things they need in the houses,” Mowbray said. “Sometimes they’ll need a new washer or dryer or other equipment, and we also like to use some of the money for their Christmas parties.”

Mowbray is a member of the Women’s Auxiliary, made up mostly of mothers of CLC residents. The group supports the homes through volunteer work and fundraising with the cookie walk.

In addition to planning the event, the Auxiliary recruits family members and friends of CLC residents to make the cookies and candies from scratch. 

But they’re not the only ones in the kitchen this week: Each CLC group home contributes at least 6 dozen cookies to the sale. 

On Tuesday night, residents of House II on Tuck Road baked four varieties of cookies for Saturday’s event. 

“It helps raise money, and I like doing it,” said Karen, who has lived there for 20 years.

Donella Knox is a medical coordinator for CLC. 

“We have a cooking program where they learn how to work the kitchen - how to operate the stove and prepare food,” said Knox. “It’s a step toward independent living.”

The Cookie Walk will offer dozens of varieties for every taste and budget.  Mowbray noted that many people come each year to buy cookies and candy for hostess gifts. One customer arrives early to get some of the Almond Butter Toffee before it sells out.

Feast from the Heart, a cookbook of CLC family recipes, will be on sale for $5 at the cookie walk, including Mowbray's coveted candy recipe.

“Our holiday wish is for residents of our community to stop by the YMCA this Saturday morning to purchase cookies for a great cause,” said Ron Weber, CLC Development and Marketing Manager.

The Farmington YMCA is located at 28100 Farmington Road, north of 12 Mile Road.  Monetary donations will also be accepted at the cookie walk, held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.  For more information about Community Living Centers, visit clchomes.org.