RSSBaking birthday wishes
Local volunteers make sure all kids can enjoy a cake on their special dayYakima Herald-Republic
E-mail
Print
Comments
More 'Local'
- I-90 travelers avoid catastrophe
- Yakima Valley residents relish in Palin's visit
- Family new to area seeks donations
- How did you do on the news quiz? Check the answers here
- Photos: Ellensburg parade
- What is mad cow disease?
- Cow tracking-- Would Canada's model work here?
YAKIMA, WASH. -- When Benedicte Eades was a little girl, birthdays were a big deal.
She could request whatever she wanted for dinner, and her mom always made her a tasty cake. Now, through the Free Cakes for Kids program, the Yakima resident is helping other children feel special on their birthdays.
"It's more work than I ever expected it to be, but I'm enjoying every minute of it," said the
32-year-old stay-at-home mom. "To make children feel happy on their birthday is fantastic."
Free Cakes for Kids is a national, volunteer program that provides birthday cakes for children who may not otherwise get one.
Eades launched the independently run local chapter in August. So far she's enlisted the help of 50-plus volunteers, who've made and donated about 30 cakes.
The idea came from reading an article in People magazine. From there, Eades' background in nonprofit and administrative work came in handy. She made fliers, volunteer forms and business cards. One of her friends created a Web site, and Eades put together a volunteer database.
With the assistance of the Moms Club of Yakima, Eades then spread the word of the program to numerous nonprofit groups in the community.
The level of experience varies among the volunteers, who could buy a cake, make one from scratch or use a mix, she said. The size of the cake also varies.
"We try to keep it simple, for the sake of the volunteers," Eades said.
Recently, Monique McFadden helped make a cake for a 4-year-old Yakima girl, whose mother recently lost her job. McFadden stood by while her daughters, 12-year-old Hannah and 9-year-old Meghan ripped open a box and dumped the mix in a bowl.
Within minutes, they added the eggs, water and oil and poured the stirred batter into a heart-shaped pan. For their reward, Meghan and her fellow baking friend -- 9-year-old Shelbi Clark -- licked the beaters clean.
For Hannah, baking a cake is a fun way to volunteer.
"I like to help people out," said Hannah of Yakima. "Making this cake for a girl who can't get one will really help her so she won't be disappointed when her birthday comes."
McFadden, too, enjoys the project because it enables her to teach her daughters the value of giving back.
"I think involving them is important," she said, adding that the cake will have a Hannah Montana theme when completed. "Times are tough for everybody, but it's harder for others. ... I think every kid should have a birthday cake."
Deidre Dellinger, who is raising her 6-year-old grandson, is grateful for the volunteers. The Yakima resident lives on a limited income and has type-1 diabetes, prohibiting her from keeping tempting sweets in the house.
Through Free Cakes for kids, her grandson recently received 26 chocolate -chocolate chip cupcakes, topped with chocolate frosting and Hershey chocolate pieces. The kindergartner shared the treats with his class at Garfield Elementary.
"His eyes just popped out of his head," Dellinger said. "He was jumping with excitement when he got to eat the cupcakes. He had chocolate on him from head to toe. I wish I had had a camera."
Through the cupcakes, Dellinger said her grandson's birthday became a true celebration.
"I think every child needs to know that their day, the day they were born, is a very special day," she said. "It just touches me because it expands the experience my child has. It made his birthday unlimited to him."
* Erin Snelgrove can be reached at 509-577-7684 or at esnelgrove@yakimaherald.com
Free Cakes for Kids
* Through the volunteer-based program, families experiencing hardships can order free birthday cakes for their children. The cakes come in white, strawberry and chocolate, and requests for decorating themes will be considered.
At least one week's notice is requested, and deliveries are limited to Yakima and Selah.
* To make an order or to learn more about the program, go to www.yakimafreecakesforkids.webs.com.
Posting Guidelines - Updated Aug. 21 2009
Readers are encouraged to use these forums to discuss issues affecting the
Yakima Valley. Debate the ideas presented in stories and other comments, but
refrain from personal attacks and offensive remarks aimed at others; e.g.,
you may call an idea idiotic, but don't say the person is an idiot. The
Herald-Republic reserves the right to remove any comment for any reason.
Examples include material that is obscene, encourages illegal activity or
stereotypes based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and
other factors. Continued violation of these guidelines can lead to
suspension or revocation of your ability to post comments. If you believe a
comment is inappropriate, you can bring it to our attention by clicking the
"report violation" link by each comment. Guidelines revised Aug. 21, 2009.
Registered User?
