Buttercreamers churn out service
- posted: 06 Nov. 2007
- scrollnews@byui.edu
When “butter” and “cream” are heard, does the thought of a delicious pie or cake come to mind? In this case, these ingredients are the recipe for a new Rexburg service organization called The Buttercreamers, inspired by the movie, The Buttercream Gang.
The movie features a group of youngsters doing anonymous charitable acts for community members. Founders of The Buttercreamers, McKay Francis, a sophomore studying business management, and Jessica Higgins, a sophomore studying general studies, attempt to emulate this principle, but keep their projects completely separate from BYU-Idaho.
Francis and Higgins were inspired to begin a service group that did not encounter the frustration of approvals in different levels of administration. They began coordination in the beginning of the semester.
“We just want to do service,” Francis said. “It’s the same feelings of accomplishment without the red tape.”
Beginning the organization proved difficult, with no budget and just a few members on board. However, Francis connected with Joaquin Blanco, the assistant to the director of public affairs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Blanco got the Boy Scouts of America to sponsor The Buttercreamers, giving them protection from liability, greater access to resources for projects, and connection with other local service organizations.
Blanco, a BYU-I alumnus, expressed concern about BYU-I’s image, especially concerning the recent arrest of a BYU-I student involved in a child-pornography scandal.
“We are sick and tired of the bad press,” Blanco said. “We know that this university is better. This is who we really are.”
Blanco helped to set up the Buttercreamers’ first service project, participating in an annual Scouting for Food drive sponsored by the Boy Scouts, which took place Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007.
About 312 Scout leaders and 637 Boy Scouts helped with the event.
Students gathered at 8 a.m. on Oct. 27 in Alpine Chalet’s lounge. Co-presidents Francis and Higgins introduced themselves and the eight board members and directed all those present to the location of the day’s project.
More than 43,200 cans collected by Boy Scouts and leaders from all over Southeast Idaho waited in storage to fill boxes that would be anonymously delivered to needy families throughout Madison County by various religious organizations.
Students arrived caravan-style at a nearby farm donated by an anonymous community member for food storage for the ongoing drive.
Joe Cherrington gave instructions and answered questions about the logistics of the project.
“I sometimes think these organizations end up becoming Santa Claus,” Cherrington said. “That’s the most beautiful thing, when they help someone have a more beautiful time celebrating the birth of Christ.”
Thirty-seven Buttercreamers and all other organizations present were able to put together about 300 food boxes, and package about 15,000 items of food. Francis estimates that the help of the Buttercreamers saved about four days of work for other organizations that usually participate.
A leadership retreat is in the works for The Buttercreamers, the date for which is yet to be set. Those interested in joining may e-mail their names to buttercreamers@gmail.com with a request to be added to the e-mail list. All are welcome, according to Francis and Higgins. 
