HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — For many of us, a birthday is not complete without cake, but some children don’t get to celebrate with a cake.
In this week’s next question, we are highlighting a mom who is on a mission to make birthdays memorable for all children across North Alabama.
“I’ve always loved kids, and I’ve always loved baking,” said Danielle Stradling.
Danielle Stradling is a wife, mom, kindergarten teacher, and she’s the ambassador for the greater Huntsville chapter of Cakes 4 Kids.
Their mission is to deliver birthday cakes to children by connecting with agencies that serve kids who are in foster care, homeless shelters, or survivors of domestic violence.
“We’re not solving their problems,” said Stradling. “They’re not going to not be homeless tomorrow. They’re not going to get to move back with their families, but they get to know that someone in their community cares enough to make a cake just for them.”
These sweet treats are delivered in packaging just like they came from your local bakery.
Volunteers provide all the ingredients and supplies.
The only thing left is finding kids to enjoy the custom cakes.
“Our biggest challenge has been finding enough people in the in the community to partner with,” Stradling said. “We know the caseworkers at all of these organizations are overwhelmed and busy with so many wonderful things that they do to help these kids and sometimes it’s hard for them to find that time to partner with us, but we’re very grateful for those that we do partner with.”
It may be just a cake but the children who receive one know that a stranger took the time and effort to do something special just for them.
“They might ask for a chocolate unicorn cake,” said Stradling. “We’ll put their name on it. We put whatever message they’d like, but we’d like to think that they love seeing this cake baked just for them, just the way they want. And it has their name on it and everything.”
The Huntsville chapter of Cakes 4 Kids just celebrated its 100th delivery.
And there seems to be one cake that’s a big hit with both the children and the volunteers.
“I think my favorite, and I’ve made them separate several times, have been unicorn cakes,” said Stradling.
When Stradling takes a break from baking cakes, you can still catch her in the kitchen whipping up a different dessert.
“I do like cookies,” said Stradling. “I like a good cookie a lot better than I like a good cake.”
If you would like to volunteer or donate to Cakes 4 Kids, you can visit their website.
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