Mia’s Cookie Jar

Spreading Smiles for MILes

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WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER | PHOTOS BY SUPER SOURCE MEDIA UNLESS NOTED

4,000+ COOKIES + 4,000+ MILES 8 INFINITY SMILES

Cookie jars are one of life's little joys.

Kids learn that fact at a very early age. Put something sweet into a cookie jar and, chances are, the next time you reach in, you’ll pull something sweet out. Plus, cookie jars are infinitely refillable. Sweet, not Sour

While the pandemic seemed to be busy souring 2020; fouryear-old Mia Villa and her mother, Devin, were busy baking up batches of sweetness. “At the end of April, we were home like everyone else, so that’s when we started baking cookies and bringing them to our superheroes,” said Devin Villa. Devin named the endeavor Mia’s Cookie Jar, and posted what they were doing on social media. She soon began getting recommendations from her “cookie followers” of some extra-special first responders, doctors, nurses and others, who could use a smile. “This is something Mia truly loves to do and it’s an easy way for us to bring smiles to the people who need it most right now,” said Devin. Since then, they’ve made more than 4,000 cookies and have logged more than 4,000 miles to deliver them. The amount of joy that it spreads, however, is endless. “It makes me so happy,” said Mia.

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Miles, and miles, and miles of smiles

At least once, and up to three times a week, Mia and Devin visit another place where amazing people are doing essential jobs every day. “There are so many people out there who are doing things I’d never be brave enough to do,” said Devin, a mother of two who works remotely as a bookkeeper for The Saratoga Winery. They’ve gone to schools, visited with the horses in the Saratoga Springs Police force’s mounted patrol unit, and strapped on heart monitors with first responders. “There’s a never-ending amount of superheroes and they come in all forms. There are places out there that I never knew existed but what they do there is incredible,” said Devin.

Lessons Worth Learning

Devin taught Mia to wear her mask, and take other safety precautions, while they’re mixing up the batter for their superheroes’ chocolate chip cookies, using a recipe they’ve had in their family since 1997. While the cookies are baking, they talk about who they are going to and the job they do, while Mia draws them a picture. “She does retain a lot of it. I just hope she grows up to appreciate people. Sometimes people are so quick to look at the negatives in life, it’s important to learn there are people doing positive things out there every day,” said Devin. (While doing this interview, Mia was patiently tracing around her hand and ended up creating a whole page of handprints.)

Little Hands, Big Heart

During deliveries, the Villas are often interacting with people in masks, so sometimes Mia is shyer than at others. As a big sister to 1-year-old Gino, however, her kindness is clear. “Seeing her as a big sister to him, you can see she has a big heart – she’s just a kind kid,” said Devin. Mia likes being able to see people’s faces, and their smiles. Her silly side really shines through in the live baking videos posted on the Mia’s Cookie Jar Facebook page. She bats her eyelids, does little dances, and cracks eggs expertly (almost no shell!!). “She can see herself, which she likes. She’s sad when we don’t do a live video. That’s when her real personality comes out,” said Devin.

Reflecting Back Kindness

In addition to having new experiences, Mia also gets to see the kindness she shows to others reflected back to her. "Mia's Great Grandparents Douglas and Dolores Greth are two of her biggest fans. Seeing her doing this has been a shining light for them during the whole pandemic,” said Devin. Cookie recipients and followers are pleased, too, and have given Mia thank you gifts including an engraved spatula, coins, patches, and water bottles. To help support Mia’s Cookie Jar to continue spreading kindness, monetary and equipment donations have come in, including from businesses such as Hershey’s and Sticker Mule. “The community is amazing! We’ve gotten so many generous donations and all the proceeds go back into Mia’s Cookie Jar,” said Devin.

Feed Mia’s Cookie Jar

Mia’s Cookie Jar will remain a non-profit endeavor, but to reach even more people, the Villas have been certified as an at-home food processor and are currently converting their garage into a commercially licensed bakery. In February, they dropped off their first bulk delivery of 24 orders to two area locations for centralized pick-up: The Saratoga Winery, and Big G’s Sweet Spot and Chocolate Bar in Clifton Park. The batches of hand-baked chocolate chip cookies are $12/two dozen. For more information, and to order, follow Mia’s Cookie Jar on Facebook. SF