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Greg's House KickOff

Reported by Henry Graff
December 4, 2006 

His name is Greg Holder. He cooks up a storm just about everyday at the Doubletree Hotel but that's not where this story ends. His co-workers are so inspired by Greg that they've come together to help one local charity.

It's a labor of love for Greg Holder. You could say this young baker from Greene County has a sweet job. "I love baking cookies," he said. "I put them in the oven. I bake them at 300 degrees. This is what I do."

What he does gives him the title of "The Cookie Man" at the Doubletree Hotel. Before heading off to school, Greg works four days a week as the primary cookie chef. As the sun is rising so is his dough.

Greg has baked more than 50,000 cookies in the past two years--1,500 of them adorn what's called "Greg's House." It's a six-foot-tall gingerbread home built by the hotel's culinary team to celebrate Greg's incredible spirit of care.

But the giant dessert isn't just for show. This dough is literally bringing in the dough for those who need it most. All proceeds from the cookie sales go to the Habitat for Humanity, an organization that is close to Greg's heart.

"People need new houses to have money for and that's where the money's going towards--that," explained Greg.

A mixture of passion and dedication throughout the year that, for this cookie man, is a recipe for giving this holiday season.

Greg says after leaving William Monroe he wants to continue a career as "The Cookie Man" at the Doubletree Hotel. 

Greg's House will be on display through Christmas. Cookies go for one dollar. Hotel officials hope to raise more than $1,000 from the event.