Sweet Treats Raise Money at CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids

If you smelled something sweet in the air yesterday, it was not your imagination.

On Saturday, April 18, 2015, Child Advocates II, Inc. (CAII) hosted the second annual CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids fundraiser at the Leon High School cafeteria.

With proceeds benefiting the Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program, CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids is a friendly competition for amateur and professional bakers and an opportunity for the public to raise money for our program by sampling the goods.

CAII volunteers arrived early in the morning to set up and receive the twenty-seven contestant entries. Official competition judges Keith Baxter of Kool Beanz Café and Joey Gans of Au Peche Mignon then went to work sampling each of the cupcakes and cookies. Although Baxter and Gans judged and made their choices independently, in the end the results from each were very similar.

view the CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids 2015 photograph album

Possibly eager to try the wide variety of baked goods available, guests started to arrive just after 1:00 PM and continued flowing in over the next hour. Free refreshments were available courtesy of CAII and Starbucks, whose iced coffee provided to be quite popular. In addition to the treats, guests were able learn about our program at an information table. The City of Tallahassee Utilities also staffed a table with freebies and tips on how to reduce energy costs.

Emcee Jeff Cameron of 97.9 FM ESPN Radio kicked off the presentation by welcoming everyone to the event, announcing the winners and thanking the sponsors and judges. CAII Board President Brian Sealey spoke to the crowd next and introduced the event's organizer, Kristine Lamont.

A member of the CAII Board and a volunteer guardian ad litem, Lamont is also a nominee for the 2015 Tallahassee Democrat Volunteer of the Year award.

Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program Circuit Director Deborah Moore wrapped up with her own thanks and a recognition of how events such as this benefit local children. She also noted that Lamont is one of three outstanding guardians ad litem from our program being considered for the Democrat's volunteer honor this year.

After everyone had a chance to sample everything and mingle, it was time for the raffle drawing. The names of all contestants were placed into a jar and then randomly selected to receive one of several donated prizes. Lamont thanked everyone one last time and brought the event to a close.

CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids would not have been possible without the support of the community and the guests who came to sample the treats. Special thanks to all of our participants, winning contestants, sponsors, donors, judges and volunteers.