We baked everything within 24 hours of the sale. The muffins and puffed wheat cake were made the day before. The day of the sale we did the brownies and cookies. It is unpredictable as to what people's favorite would be. We threw in the carrot cake muffins as the last-minute item, and they became a popular request. I realized I only had this one picture to share, and it was at the end of the sale.
My business partner is now 13 and is very capable in the kitchen. Her mother is the business manager; we describe ourselves as non-profit. In other words, we work towards a cause, which is to help a 13-year-old understand the world of business. It is important that every person have a way to make money, when they really need money.
Our customers have gotten familiar with bringing their own containers. They circle around the table picking out what they want to purchase. It is an incredibly easy way of selling, no prepackaging, no having to take 6 of the same things at our Bakesale. I could only guess that we probably made 500 bake items in total. We do take pre-orders for those that can't attend.
The heartwarming part of this is the generosity of our friends and families. Yes, they love to get something homemade for their money, but they faithfully show up and buy. Since the beginning we try to have a give back moment. Our choice this time was to give a large amount of baking to a young mom of 2 that has just been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins's lymphoma. She was looking forward to the cream cheese carrot muffins, and she took home so much more. Those moments are how you measure the success of an event.
I was thinking how parenting falls under the category of "non-profit". Non-profit means it operates for a collective benefit. Key aspects of a non-profit organization are their ability to fulfill their mission with respect to accountability, integrity, trustworthiness, honesty and openness to every person who has invested time, money and faith into the organization. As a family organization everyone works for the better good of the family. No one gets paid to parent or any other job. As a parent in the family non-profit organization their role is to teach the requirements and accountability to everyone in the family. It is also an organization everyone will be a life member. Some families do better than others in their organizations but that is the way non-profits work.
I know I am not alone as someone that enjoys being involved in non-profit organizations. Everyone has their own reason for being involved in community work or, for not being involved. Personally, I enjoy being part of a group that is working towards a cause. I am a geek when it comes to organizing on paper and I love to fuss with all of the little details. I like to draw people in and encourage them to work towards their strengths. I know when someone can do something better than I can, I will certainly let them. It is the personal satisfaction when an event is a success. There is no better feeling than to know you have made a difference in someone's life or community.
Lovely, Faye!
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