Our Legacy

Alicia Lee was a long-time volunteer and treasured friend of The Center for Pursuit. One of Alicia’s favorite things to do was bake all kinds of sweets like cakes and cookies. She and her son, Jeffery, who was a client at The Center, spent time baking fruitcakes together and selling them to support The Center for Pursuit.

When Alicia wasn’t volunteering or baking, she worked in the office of former President George H.W. Bush. First Lady Barbara Bush took great interest in Alicia's baking skills and even said gingersnaps were her favorite. This inspired Alicia to create the now-famous gingersnap cookies that we all love today. The compliments she heard from Mrs. Bush and other people in the community motivated Alicia to start something bigger to support The Center for Pursuit. Through the help of her husband, B.Z. Lee, they worked on organizing finances to set up a business and sell beloved baked goods. In 1989, Gingersnaps etc. finally opened and The Bush family were among the very first customers!

Over the years, Gingersnaps etc. grew into an enterprise of The Center for Pursuit with a small staff to manage the orders and partnerships with local bakers, Paul Grant and Luis Sayrols. Gingersnaps etc. brought in help from artisans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), autism, and other similar conditions to create a unique and identifiable piece for each package. The hand-crafted packaging showcases the artistry and talent of each individual through special detailed decorative ornamental paper toppers.

Alicia continued to fulfill orders until her retirement in 2015 and remained an integral part of the program up until her passing in 2017. Her legacy of commitment and volunteerism continues to inspire this amazing gift she has left for those with IDD, autism, and similar conditions in Greater Houston. Alicia’s love for helping her community lives on through our volunteers. The volunteers of Gingersnaps etc. come from local businesses, community groups, houses of worship, and more to help prepare every package that goes out.

You can find the delicious baked goods from Gingersnaps etc. at local markets across the Greater Houston area, including the Houston Ballet's Nutcracker Market, and the lobby of our East End campus. You can also order these delicious baked goods anytime through our online store!

All proceeds go to enrich the lives of hundreds of children, adolescents, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), autism, and other similar conditions served by The Center for Pursuit.