Today was my first cupcake donation to Bake A Wish Austin. It's a small little charity with an original mission of providing free birthday cakes to abused, neglected, or abandoned children and youth who would otherwise not receive one. Over time they have grown, and in addition they now serve birthday cakes to Austin's elderly and disabled in affordable housing communities. Since their inception in 2009, they have made over 3,500 deliveries of baked goods!
I always hear from people, "How do you fit all that into your schedule? I can't find the time to do the volunteer work. Can't I just write a check instead?"
I always respond with, "Of course you can. It's just a matter of setting priorities in your life. And if you still find it a challenge, write the check. It is always needed at the charities."
For me, helping others is something I always enjoy. It doesn't matter how large or how small. And for a lady that runs through life saying...Eat Dessert First... Birthday cakes are important to me 🙂
I look at this opportunity as a win win for both of us. I get to help others that are less fortunate than I am. I'm supporting a good cause that I believe in. And most important, I'm gaining valuable skills and experience. I always look for learning opportunities in everything I do. These cakes and cupcakes are not something I regularly do. I'm a chocolate maker, not a baker. Sure I learned how to do this in pastry school, but use it or lose it. This lets me keep using my skills that I don't normally use in my working life. And I'd like to believe that something as simple as a cupcake or a birthday cake really does make a difference in someone's life.
And another that SUPs 21 miles to raise funds for Flatwater Foundation to fund psychological support and counseling to cancer patients and their families. Great story, awesome reasons for doing it, and it's something he loves. Pretty wonderful stuff.
Then I sit back and think...good grief...I just made some cupcakes, look at what they are doing, as I laugh to myself wondering how do they find the time to fit that into their schedules. And again, I must say, it doesn't matter how large or how small. It doesn't matter if it's time or money. We are all in this world together, and I'd like to say that I did the best I could, and helped as many people as I could in my short time on this world. Whether it's a 21 mile SUP, or traveling the US doing random things of kindness, baking a birthday cake, or writing a check, give it a try! It feels good to do good things.
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