Schools and nonprofits are sweet on this promotion.
Long-time Forest Hills confectioner Aigner Chocolates has just launched the Cocoa Joy Community Bar, a fundraising initiative modeled after the golden ticket scavenger hunt in the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
This is how it works.
Consumers purchase Cocoa Joy bars at schools, events, the store, and online.
Winning tickets are chosen and announced in the gold and silver categories.
Winners claim their prizes from participating businesses or schools.
Gold tickets are good for such prizes as gift cards and special experiences donated from Queens businesses.
Silver tickets are valid for discounts at Aigner and sponsoring businesses. (Schools might also offer non-monetary prizes to boost school spirit.)
Meanwhile, Aigner, which was voted NYC’s best chocolate shop by TimeOut New York for 2025, will donate at least half the proceeds from Cocoa Joy sales to school fundraisers with another portion going to AdoptAClassroom.org and Teach for America.
As part of the fun, Aigner will host an in-store fundraiser for the entire month of March with five golden tickets. (These ones provide exclusive access to the store, which is located at 103-02 Metropolitan Ave., for a day.)
“We’re excited to bring communities together, raise funds for education, and support local businesses,” stated Aigner Owner Rachel Kellner.
Editor’s note: In Willy Wonka, five golden tickets were hidden in chocolate bars that were distributed to vendors around the world. The winners – Augustus Gloop, Mike Teavee, Charlie Bucket, Veruca Salt, and Violet Beauregarde – were invited to the factory for a tour, while the contest caused a worldwide PR frenzy.)
Images: Courtesy of Rachel Kellner