Otis Spunkmeyer(R) Celebrates Hope and Inspiration With Cookie Creation Event

SAN LEANDRO, Calif., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Laughter and creativity were the orders of the day when Otis Spunkmeyer employees welcomed five wish kids from the Make-A-Wish Foundation to their corporate offices in late October. The occasion was the second annual Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Creation Event, which honors the company's support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation—the world's largest wish-granting organization benefiting children with life-threatening medical conditions. Otis Spunkmeyer has sponsored the charity for the past two years and will do so again in 2010, offering wish cookies for sale from April 15 through June 15, to raise funds.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100204/CG49881)

"A group of inspirational children, a little imagination, and a well-stocked kitchen were all that was needed to make this Wish Kids' Day a success," said John Schiavo, president and CEO of Otis Spunkmeyer. "We saw everything from malted balls and chocolate-covered cherries to jelly beans and sour candy used as toppings for our cookies. The best part, however, is being able to bring the inspiration of these wish kids to our employees in San Leandro. It's a reminder of why we support the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the first place. It's about people sharing inspiration and hope, no matter what they're doing."

Wish kids were welcomed to the Otis Center for Excellence and paired with "chefs" from the Research and Development Lab. Each team was invited to bring its own cookie flavor dream to life by pairing Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough with toppings the kids felt epitomized "their" Otis cookies. It was reminiscent of 2008's gathering when Karen, a wish kid from the Greater Bay Area chapter, created Karen's ChocKLeT Heaven Cookie, which became Otis' official Wish Cookie for 2009. Schiavo said his company would again offer Karen's cookie, featuring a rich chocolate cookie base topped with turquoise candy-coated chocolates and classic marshmallows, as the Otis Wish Cookie for 2010.

Following the wish cookie limited-time offering last year, Otis Spunkmeyer donated $75,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. To date, the company has contributed a total of $150,000. It also offers a specialty oven and supply of cookie dough to every Make-A-Wish® chapter in the continental United States—bringing the magic of fresh-baked Otis Spunkmeyer cookies to local Make-A-Wish events and fundraisers nationwide. Employees at Otis Spunkmeyer World Headquarters and call centers across the country have supported chapters with additional fundraisers, event sponsorships, and participation in local wishes.

"Otis Spunkmeyer and its employees have been great supporters in helping us bring joy to our courageous wish kids," said David Williams, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America president and chief executive officer. "Even beyond the donations, their interaction with our chapters and wish kids shows how fully they embrace our mission."

Foodservice operators may request Official '10 Wish Kits by contacting their Otis representatives, visiting www.spunkmeyer.com or calling 1-888-ASK-OTIS.

About Otis Spunkmeyer

Otis Spunkmeyer, Inc., a Northern California-based baked-goods manufacturer, markets a trusted brand name in the food and snack industry. With the #1 selling cookie dough in foodservice and a leading muffin brand at retail, the Otis Spunkmeyer brand has come to be recognized by consumers as synonymous with quality baked goods. Otis Spunkmeyer frozen cookie dough, prebaked muffins and cookies, pastries, and other quality baked goods can be found in foodservice and retail outlets throughout the country. For more product information, innovative menu ideas and recipes from Otis Spunkmeyer, visit www.spunkmeyer.com.

About Make-A-Wish Foundation

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 65 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 185,000 wishes in the United States since its inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.

SOURCE Otis Spunkmeyer, Inc.