Kaylie McLaughlin  - Downtown Overland Park

PHOTOS: Golden Scoop accepts $10K donation at Overland Park tree lighting

Mayor Curt Skoog and community members celebrated the start of the holiday season with the tree lighting in Thompson Park.

Mayor Curt Skoog and community members celebrated the start of the holiday season with the tree lighting in Thompson Park. Photos credit Kaylie McLaughlin.

The community raised $10,000 for the Golden Scoop as the local sweets shop prepares to expand and hire 50 SuperScoopers to staff the nonprofit’s second Overland Park location.

The money was raised as part of the Overland Park Mayor’s Holiday Fund. The Golden Scoop accepted the funds on Friday during the city’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony in Thompson Park.

“What a way to start the holiday season to be in downtown Overland Park Thompson Park to gather because gathering is so important,” said Mayor Curt Skoog during the ceremony.

The Golden Scoop is growing

The Golden Scoop, which opened its first location at 95th Street and Nall Avenue, employs adults who have developmental and intellectual disabilities. The shop serves ice cream, coffee and baked treats.

“Thank you Overland Park for your continued support and helping us empower uniquely-abled individuals to find new purpose, reach their potential and write their own life story,” said Golden Scoop co-founder Amber Schreiber on Friday.

In spring 2024, the second Golden Scoop location will open at 103rd Street and U.S. Highway 69.

Overland Park tree lighting in Thompson Park

Frank Thompson, one of the namesakes for Overland Park’s Thompson Park, helped light the holiday tree. Twice on Sunday performed in the lead up to the lighting.

Here are some pictures from the festivities:

As part of the annual Overland Park Holiday Fund, the community raised $10,000 for the Golden Scoop.

Twice on Sunday performed at the annual Overland Park Holiday Tree lighting in Thompson Park.

As part of the annual Overland Park Holiday Fund, the community raised $10,000 for the Golden Scoop.

Mayor Curt Skoog and community members celebrated the start of the holiday season with the tree lighting in Thompson Park.

Frank Thompson (right), one of the namesakes for Overland Park's Thompson Park, helped light Overland Park's holiday tree in Thompson Park.

👋 Hi! I'm Kaylie McLaughlin, and I cover Overland Park for the Blue Valley Post.

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A bit about me and my background:

I grew up in Shawnee and graduated from Mill Valley in 2017. I attended Kansas State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2021. While there, I worked for the K-State Collegian, serving as the editor-in-chief. As a student, I interned for the Wichita Eagle, the Shawnee Mission Post and KSNT in Topeka. I also contributed to the KLC Journal and the Kansas Reflector. Before joining the Post in 2023 as a full-time reporter, I worked for the Olathe Reporter.