V21 Vitamin Cookies HANDMADE – HEARTFELT – HOPE FILLED
Hugs+ Mugs Gift Shop and Café is a retail store that provides GiGi University graduates a live internship to provide them with individualized, hands on training to hone their skills and prepare them for fulfilling community based employment.
Hugs+ Mugs offers the public to create their own custom made mugs and water bottles with the assistance of our interns. Additionally, shoppers can stop in and buy mugs and other gift items designed by adults with Down syndrome. Participants oversee all aspects of the store and lead the mug design and production processes.
In the spirit of GiGi’s Playhouse’s global message of acceptance, Hugs+Mugs is designed to be visible and active participant of the community. Illustrating this point, Hugs+Mugs is thrilled to have partnered with local bakery American Baking Company, to introduce the V-21 Vitamin Cookie.
Hugs+Mugs newest creation is packed with 21 vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and most importantly, LOVE by our bakers with T21 (Down syndrome). The interns arrive at the bakery weekly excited to learn and increase their skills. The reviews have been great and the cookies are flying off the shelves, and were on the menu at the South Barrington Park District’s July 4th celebration.
Following on from the success of our V-21 Vitamin Cookie, the interns are headed back to the kitchen to create the BEST Gluten Free Cookie on the market – the G-21 cookie – Stay tuned.
This is what Hugs+Mugs mentor Christine enjoys most about working in the bakery, “Our new friend Alex at the bakery is the greatest teacher. It is fun counting the cookies and packing them with my friends, Chris, Patrick and Nicole. We all worked as a team. We were all styling in our baker’s coats and hats too.”
Hugs+Mugs is located adjacent to the GiGi’s Playhouse National Achievement Center at 2350 West Higgins Road in Hoffman Estates. Business hours Tuesdays – Fridays 11am-7pm, Saturdays 9am-5pm, closed Sundays and Mondays. For more information please e-mail hugsandmugs@stagingmain.gigisplayhouse.org, call 847-278-8531, or see our online store at stagingmain.gigisplayhouse.org.
GiGi’s Playhouse, GiGi U, and Hugs+Mugs count on the generosity of donations to support our no-fee programming. Donations can be made online at stagingmain.gigisplayhouse.org, or contact Development Director Jayne Drew at jdrew@stagingmain.gigisplayhouse.org.
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