Cake4Kids provides a small gesture that comes with big feelings
You might assume that every child gets a birthday cake on their special day. But sometimes, that’s not what happens. Cake4Kids tries to fill that gap for children that may otherwise go without.
“It’s inconceivable to me that a child might not get this recognition on their birthday,” said Coachella Valley Cake4Kids ambassador Ray Biller. “But many children in our community don’t. It’s like a wake-up call, and it’s at the heart of what we do. We make these kids smile and build their self-esteem.
by Sergio Garcia: Special to The Desert Sun
Macaroni and cheese, yin and yang, Donny and Marie, cakes and kids — they all go so well together. You might assume that every child gets a birthday cake on their special day. But sometimes, that’s not what happens. Cake4Kids tries to fill that gap for children that may otherwise go without.
“It’s inconceivable to me that a child might not get this recognition on their birthday,” said Coachella Valley Cake4Kids ambassador Ray Biller. “But many children in our community don’t. It’s like a wake-up call, and it’s at the heart of what we do. We make these kids smile and build their self-esteem. It impacts their families, too. They would love to give more to their loved ones but are stretched so thin financially.”
Cake4Kids partners with local children's services agencies. They identify when a child might not be able to receive a cake on an important day, like a birthday, graduation, neighborhood welcome, special holiday or unique achievement. Volunteers bake cakes, cookies, cupcakes and brownies and deliver them to agencies, who in turn present the treats to children. Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs, Olive Crest, Shelter from the Storm, Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Rio Vista Elementary all currently participate, and Cake4Kids is looking to expand that roster.
Cake4Kids Ambassador Ray Biller poses with volunteer baker Cathy Walker Montgomery and her husband, Ron.