We’re currently delivering in Cook County, Lake County, and Northwest Indiana.
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Launched: March 2020
Unique Fact: Chicagoland is the first chapter we’ve launched with the inaugural orientation held online during the COVID-19 pandemic
Volunteers at first orientation: 11 amazing bakers
Help Cake4Kids deliver more smiles in Chicagoland!
About
Emily Gyure, Cake4Kids Chicagoland Ambassador
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I grew up right outside of Chicago in NW Indiana. In 2007, I decided to pack up and move to Chicago to go to pastry school, where I graduated with an Associate degree and worked at a bakery. Wanting a more structured career, I moved into the corporate world, but still love to bake as much as I can for friends and family! In my spare time, I love listening to music and books, going to the movies, spending time with my family, trying out new restaurants, and baking and cooking at home!
Who inspired your love of baking?
My grandma inspired my love of baking. When I was young, we would bake hundreds of Christmas cookies together every year. She also loved to decorate sugar cookies, and we would make them for all holidays. She called it "painting cookies." I lost my grandmother in 2017, but I continue the tradition of baking hundreds of Christmas cookies every year, and I will forever cherish my memories of baking with her from my childhood.
Why did you want to start Cake4Kids in your area?
I have been wanting to find a way to give back in my community, and when I learned about Cake4Kids and what they do, it was the perfect fit. The thought of a child not feeling special on their birthday is heartbreaking to me, so I was eager to make a difference in Chicagoland by bringing this amazing organization here. The main reason I love to bake is to make others happy. With Cake4Kids, that is exactly what we do - we aim to bring happiness to our at-risk youth by "delivering smiles to children one birthday cake at a time.”
If you’re interested in baking, please visit the Volunteer page!
If you are a caseworker or work at an agency and are interested in partnering with Cake4Kids to receive free cakes for your youth, please visit Who We Help to request our services!
If you still have questions, please contact me at emily@cake4kids.org.
Upcoming Events
For all of Cake4Kids' upcoming events, see the Events page!
Photos from Past Events
Cake4Kids Chicagoland In the News
For all the latest about Cake4Kids, see the News page!
Ready to Help?
Donate today or sign up to volunteer with Cake4Kids Chicagoland!