It's always gratifying to me to learn about new and innovative ways that business owners and their staff in town find to support charities. This week, I'd like to draw your attention to just a few.

In time for Mother's Day, the local COBS Breads locations at Willowbrook Shopping Centre and Walnut Grove are hosting tasty fund-and awareness-raising campaign aimed at helping Big Brothers Big Sisters of Langley.

Actually bakeries across the country are hoping to fulfill dreams with this annual fundrasier. Here at home, it's a two-day strawberries and cream event.

The bakery has created a strawberries and cream scone, which is full of strawberry pieces, has strawberry cream cheese folded throughout, and is topped with a decadent cream cheese icing.

The financial assistance comes in the form of 50 cents from the sale of each of these scones on Saturday and Sunday, May 12 and 13, which is donated to Bigs.

But what seems more important to me - a person who served as a Big Sister for years and still shares a close friendship with my former Little - is the awareness that comes with high-profile events like this.

And local Big's executive director Mary Reeves agrees.

"COBS Bread has raised more than $95,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2009, which has allowed agencies across the country to provide many children with the support of a mentor," Reeves said.

"In addition, COBS has raised awareness of the urgent need for more Big Brother and Big Sister volunteers. COBS' in-store campaigns have inspired many men and women to volunteer their time to provide encouragement and support to a young person in need in their community. We are so grateful for COBS' support of mentoring," Reeves added.

Big Sister Jen Gibson will be at the Walnut Grove COBS Bread from noon till 2 p.m. on Saurday, along with her Little.

"This is a great opportunity for people to talk to someone involved in the program and find out why supporting the agency is worth considering. Plus you get to purchase some yummy treats at the same time as helping a child to find that lifelong friend," Reeves said.

Even if you're not interested in the scones, but are thinking of getting involved in this volunteer-based mentoring organization, stop by and ask some questions.

BURGER FLIPPING PAYS OFF

Speaking of food, the 24th annual M&M Meat Shop's charity barbecue happens Saturday.

In the past 23 years, M&Ms has managed to raise $21.5 million for the companies charity of choice.

Franchisees and volunteers will be flipping burgers and hotdogs to reach this year's goal of raising $1.5 million for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC) in a single day and needs your support.

The feast goes on from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 450 M&M locations across Canada, and supporters only have to pay a minimum $3 donation for a burger or hotdog, as well as a drink and a bag of chips. All the food and time is donated, so every penny goes directly towards Crohn's and colitis research.

PENNIES AID SICK KIDS

With the recent announcement that Canadian penny production is being eliminated, Aldergrove Credit Union is inviting people to donate their pennies to the B.C. Children's Hospital.

"Our organization fundraises for this great cause each spring and we thought what a great way to involve the community," said Aldergrove Credit Union CEO Gus K. Hartl. "It's a great way for consumers to empty their jars of pennies and coin they have been collecting over the years and feel good at the same time, knowing total donations will be matched up to $1,000 by Aldergrove Credit Union and will be donated to BC Children's Hospital."

Donations will be accepted until June 1 at any Aldergrove Credit Union branch location.

rhooper@langleyadvance.com