A 12-year-old Red Deer girl says she wants to help the Central Alberta Humane Society in a time of need.
“COVID has taken away a lot, but I don’t want the community to forget that it can’t take away kindness and … to share love with each other, and the animals too,” said Jayda Monilaws.
“I’ve always thought it was really important to support the community. I just thought little things like this could really help people, especially during this time right now.”
Since 2014, Monilaws has raised more than $25,000 for the humane society through an annual cupcake sale – last year’s sale raised more than $10,000.
But due to the pandemic, she won’t be hosting the sale this year. Instead, through February she is encouraging people to donate needed items to the society, including cat litter, Kong toys for dogs and cats, ceramic food bowls, and gift cards for Walmart and Canadian Tire.
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Monetary donations can also be made online. Anyone who makes a donation on behalf of Monilaws’ fundraiser drive will be entered into a draw, where the winner will receive three dozen cupcakes.
As long as anyone who donates lets the humane society know their donation is being done on behalf of the drive, they will be entered into the draw. People who e-transfer a donation are encouraged to send a separate email to development@cahumane.com, to let them know they are donating on behalf of this drive.
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Nicki Monilaws, Jayda’s mother, said her daughter has been baking for as long as she can remember.
“Probably kindergarten is when she really got interested. But we have pictures of her when she was like two years old and she just loved making pancake batter or helping make cookies. I like to spend time in the kitchen, so I think it rubbed off on her a bit,” said Nicki.
The Central Alberta Humane Society is also hosting a Bake a Difference cupcake decorating contest through February.
“Because we cannot gather in groups to share & sell our delicious baked goods, we have come up with a fun way to virtually raise funds for shelter animals and still show off your amazing baking skills,” the humane society’s website said.
For more information on the Bake a Difference contest, visit cahumane.com/home/events/cupcakes.
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