calling all bay area bakers!

Ever wanted to unleash your inner Martha Stewart? (me: YES)

Do you like to bake? (me: Not really)

Do you like helping others? (me: YES!)

If you’ve said “YES” to two out of three questions, have I got a great organization for you…

My friend, Libby, recently started a local chapter of Free Cakes for Kids. Her group is Cakes4Kids and if you’ve ever made a cake for your child’s birthday, you will not want to miss the chance to help out less fortunate children by baking and decorating a birthday cake just for them. People like me, who live to throw parties, will embrace the chance to make a difference in young people’s lives by showing them their community CARES.

Here is the story from Toni Poulos of Free Cakes for Kids about the founding moment of her organization:

“My foster daughter had been with us for about three weeks when her 8th birthday came round. We only planned a small family party, as she was still settling in with her new family. I baked her cake, and made the icing. I tinted it a pretty pink with white trim and little white rosebuds.  I was so excited to bring it out to her. I couldn’t wait to see her little face light up with happiness. That didn’t happen.  Instead it was deep sobbing, the kind that comes from pain straight from the heart and soul. My husband and I first thought we had stepped upon a very painful memory.  When we helped her calm herself, she was able to tell us…this was her very first cake, even more heartbreaking- she did not feel she deserved something so pretty.

FREE CAKES FOR KIDS was born in that moment.”

I can’t read that quote without tearing up and I’ve done so several times already. It has the same impact every time.

So, I’m signing Paul and me up today to help out Libby’s local group and I hope you’ll consider joining us. I’m not a baker, I think I’ve mentioned that. But I can finesse some decorating, I’m sure. And Paul is a terrific baker (he makes all the boys’ birthday cakes).

This is something so small, so easy – we can all pitch in to make positive memories for kids whose childhoods are very dark. If you want to find out more, please visit http://cake4kids.org/Home.html and/or find them on Facebook. Hope to see you there!

[Photo courtesy of David Hughes/Veer]