When a Moorestown resident was asked to participate in the annual Cooks Tour of Moorestown last year, the thought of opening their home to nearly 1,000 people was overwhelming.
“ … When I learned the date last year was on Dec. 7, it happened to be the 15-year anniversary of my mother’s passing, which I knew was coming up,” said the township resident. “I knew it was going to be challenging for me, it was going to be emotional …”
They decided to host the tour anyway and honor their late parents by sharing the traditions they instilled in them. Among the decorations they had on display was a memory tree with images of their parents incorporated into ornaments.
“ … I further learned what the cooks tour was about because I didn’t know what the charitable cause was for,” they recalled. “I was in the dark about that, so when I heard it was for women’s health initiatives, that yet again was another motivating factor for me to be involved.”
They admitted that participation was a heavy lift, but the tradition brought joy to them during a difficult time.
“There’s just so much good that comes out of it, and it’s just such an amazing experience leading up to it and the planning and the preparation and then the day comes, and a 1,000 people walk through your home …” they marveled. “You know that you’re kicking off these people’s holidays, and you see so many mothers walk through.
“This is their tradition, this is how they literally kick off their holidays,” they added. “You see these mothers with their children, and they got to walk through my home last year and see the traditions that I built with my mom.”
Proceeds from the 2023 Cooks Tour of Moorestown – sponsored by the Virtua Memorial Auxiliaries – will benefit Virtua’s Mobile Health and Cancer Screening Unit. It provides access to free cancer screenings for uninsured and underinsured individuals across South Jersey.
The cooks tour was started in 1962 by the Curtis Auxiliary, an all-volunteer organization founded by a group of Moorestown women.
According to givetovirtua.org, the cooks tour was started in 1962 by the Curtis Auxiliary, an all-volunteer organization founded by a group of Moorestown women. It was named in honor of Dr. Howard M. Curtis, a pediatrician who practiced at what is now known as Virtua Mount Holly Hospital. The auxiliary began hosting fundraising events in the community, including the once-popular Curtis Ball, to support the hospital.
Over the years, other auxiliaries were established in the area and they joined to form the auxiliary board to Virtual Memorial. This year, the cooks tour committee is again looking for host homes to participate.
“There is a famous thing about this tour, and it is called the secret of the tour,” noted Carolyn Bogart, who helps run the event. “What is the secret of the tour? You never know what houses are (participating) until you purchase a ticket. It’s this big thing, so we want people to be a part of (it).”
Karen Miller, chairperson of the auxiliary, described homeowners who previously participated in the event as genuinely wonderful people who didn’t mind having a crowd come through their home.
“It’s just such an uplifting day,” she said. “I mean, I truly feel passionate and blessed to be part of this … When you’ve experienced it, I think you just leave with such a great feeling, and it always sparks me to go home and then start decorating for the holiday, too.”
Bogart described the cooks tour as paying it forward with holiday spirit.
“If you want something that brings you to a whole new level, being a part of this tour is a way to do it,” she believes. “Giving back to someone who needs that holiday gift.”
The Cooks Tour of Moorestown will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For questions or to sponsor or volunteer, contact Miller at (609) 280-0135. For more information on the mobile screening unit, visit https://www.virtua.org/services/cancer-treatment/mobile-health-and-cancer-screening-unit.
