(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Many kids look forward to everyone gathering around a cake to sing “Happy Birthday.” One organization has a chapter in Chicago that is ensuring everyone gets something sweet on their birthday.
"We started baking and delivering cakes to the youth here in Chicagoland. Kids in foster care, homeless shelters, refugee groups, group homes, things like that," said Emily Gyure, who is the Volunteer Ambassador for the Chicago chapter of the organization Cake4Kids.
Cakes4Kids was founded back in 2010 and brought to Chicago 10 years later.
Gyure said volunteers are the key ingredient.
"They bake at home, they get their own ingredients and bake the request according to what the case worker puts in. They can totally customize it, which is also really fun for these kids, picking their favorite characters and flavors and things like that."
Kids feel special when they see a cake that has been made with their interests in mind.
"What we hear a lot is that they get overwhelmed. They see this cake and they realize it's made just for them. They just can't believe it sometimes,” Gyure said.
"To know that somebody took the time to make this special for them really touches their lives."
The project is also sweet for the volunteers who bake the cakes.
"Being able to bring those smiles to the kids all over Chicagoland who so very much deserve that is making a huge impact and reminding them that they are special and they are loved."
For more information about the organization and how to volunteer, visit the Cakes4Kids website.
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok