Swampscott residents are able to support a local nonprofit organization once a month while satisfying their sweet tooth at Cookie Monster.

At just 14 years old, Andover resident Hannah Finn decided that she wanted to start making a difference in her community. Finn had grown familiar with a family shelter nearby and wanted to help make the birthdays of children living there special.

Finn had about $300 in her wallet from babysitting. She took that money and bought the ingredients to bake birthday cakes, and One Wish was officially born. Word spread fast and today, around 2000 Massachusetts children, teens and young adults living in shelters or foster care receive birthday cakes each year through One Wish.

“A lot of these kids are usually not recognized on their birthdays,” said One Wish Executive Director and Hannah’s mother, Claudia Mintz. “We think their birthdays matter.”

When Finn was in high school, she was making around 200 cakes each year. When she went off to college, a network of volunteers developed to keep the baking going. Over time, that network has grown to over 350 active participants.

“She felt that she had started something very special,” said Mintz, of her daughter.

Children have the opportunity to submit exactly what type of cake they want. One Wish volunteers then match up with them and help make their birthday memorable by making or buying the requested cake, and delivering “highly customizable birthday celebrations.”

In 2025, one child requested cookies rather than a cake. A Facebook post that spread around the North Shore matched up Cookie Monstah, which has eight locations including one in Swampscott, with One Wish.

After Cookie Monstah happily donated cookies, a relationship between the two sides was born.

Mintz went to Cookie Monstah’s Andover shop to offer thanks for their willingness to help. By the time she walked out, an idea sparked One Wish Wednesday.

On the last Wednesday of each month, 10% of Cookie Monstah sales go directly to One Wish. The partnership started last October.

“We rely on the generosity of businesses, volunteers and the community,” said Mintz. “It means a lot that they are so supportive.”

One Wish is always looking for additional volunteers and support.

“It’s amazing that people think so highly of our mission and the difference we are trying to make,” said Mintz. “To be recognized is wonderful.”