Ian Robb, left, and Justin Barker along with about a dozen other volunteers handed out cans of cookies Monday on Main Street on behalf of the Center for Community Resources. This is the seventh year that CCR has given away cookies at Christmastime to spread awareness about the CCR crisis line.

Cookies, cookies, cookies.

Pedestrians and drivers alike accepted free cookies Monday along Butler's Main Street, compliments of the Center for Community Resources.

Candie Clutter of Butler walked down Main Street with a navy blue tin of cookies in hand.

Clutter said the gesture caught her off-guard in a good way.

“He just said, 'Here's a can of cookies,' and then handed it to me,” she said.

Clutter said for many this may be the first gift they receive this year. But for others, it may be the only gift they receive this year.

She said it also could provide another unique opportunity, especially for those who may not be able to purchase as many gifts as they would like for others throughout the holiday season.

“It's a present they can give to someone else,” Clutter said.CCR is a nonprofit organization that connects people with support services and service coordination. The organization serves all 67 counties across the state, including two locations in Butler.CCR President and CEO Mike Robb wore a festive red sweater as he stood in the middle of Main Street handing out tins to drivers in vehicles on both sides as they stopped for red lights.“It's about Christmas cheer,” Robb said, reminding one of the 15 volunteers about the meaning of the handout.According to Robb, this is the seventh year CCR handed out cookies to kick off Christmas and spread awareness about their crisis line.Howard Boltz of Butler Township also received a tin of cookies while he walked downtown.He peeled away the CCR crisis hot line magnet to see the sample depiction of the cookies within the tin, before replacing the magnet back on the tin.

Inside the tins were butter cookies with a light dusting of sugar and shaped like swirls, pretzel loops and the standard circle and rectangle.“Oatmeal cookies are my favorite,” Boltz said. “But, all cookies are good cookies.”Boltz said it was nice to see an organization performing outreach through cheerful means. He knows about CCR, and what they have to offer, but to some this may be the first they've interacted with the nonprofit.“It lightens up the atmosphere,” Boltz said. “It's a nice day, and they're handing out cookies.”

The Center for Community Resources purchased more than 2,300 cookies.Robb said the organization partnered with Rite Aid, starting the process in September, so the pharmacy could gather tins from other locations too.“There's a lot of negativity around,” Robb said. “If we can do positive actions, it can make a difference.”

Mike Robb, Center for Community Resources president, and Chris Lunn, CFO, give away Christmas cookies on Main Street in Butler on Monday.

Center for Community Resource president, Mike Robb handsout Christmas cookies to motorists on Main Street Butler, Monday, December 23, 2019.

Ian Robb hands out Christmas cookies on behalf of the Center for Community Resources.