On Tuesday, February 11, Hope for Youth and American Heart Club hosted a joint bake sale after school to raise funds for their clubs, and to provide a sweet treat for students after a hard day doing schoolwork. This bake sale included treats like cookies, cakepops, and mini cakes with the price ranging from $2-$4.
The idea of doing a joint bake sale stemmed when the two clubs realized that they both wanted to do fundraisers like this, so they decided to collaborate and bring the idea together. The process of preparing and getting the bake sale together was also beneficial to the club officers as they were able to group together and bond.
“It’s a very hands-on experience. It gets groups going, and it’s very interactive,” Bake Sale Planner Princess Li (10) from the Hope for Youth club said.
The two clubs realized this was the perfect opportunity to do the fundraiser, since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and more people would be drawn to the bake sale if it had a general theme. The low-priced sweet treats also added an extra perk for students after a long day of doing school work.
“I think people are motivated by the sweet treats, and especially with Valentine’s Day coming up, and through all the work that’s been put in to make all those sweet creations, people truly [felt] drawn towards [the bake sale],” Heart Club President Karissa Guzman (10) said.
While these clubs did have the mission to give out sweets to the students of Ayala, there were also bigger causes that both clubs wanted to support. Heart Club was planning to give their donations to local elementary schools in the Chino Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) for field trip funds and heart challenges. On the other hand, Hope for Youth is putting their proceeds toward a backpack care kit event that they are going to host in the future.
“These kinds of activities for [the Hope For Youth] club are important because the goal of our club is to give back and help children in need,” Hope for Youth Club Co-President Elizabeth Yu (10) said. “Our funds all go towards purchasing resources that the children may not have access to, to try and make their life a little easier. Without these fundraising activities, we would not be able to raise the money needed to donate to them.”
As the joint bake sale comes to an end, members from both clubs realize the importance of events such as this one to help raise funds and have fun while doing this. With Valentine’s Day approaching, the message of love and joy was spread to everyone on campus, ending the bake sale on a high note.
“I encourage people to participate in this bake sale because not only is it an opportunity to raise money, but the process behind it is fun as well. Members of both clubs came together at a meeting point, and we had a ton of fun baking with each other and making the posters for each stand,” Yu said. “Personally, I find baking a way to relax, and the bake sale gave my hobby a purpose beyond my personal benefit and relaxation.”
