Sixth-grader Delaney Hudock sells cupcakes, donates money to Angela’s House
About once a month, 11-year-old Delaney Hudock devotes her day to baking cupcakes. But she’s not making these goodies for herself.
Instead, the sixth-grader at Cutchogue East Elementary School sells her cupcakes and donates all the money to Angela’s House, a charity group home for medically frail children. In just a few months of fundraising, the Laurel girl has already raised more than $1,000.
“The community is very, very supportive,” her mother, Elizabeth Hudock, said, “especially when it’s a young kid trying to do something nice.”
Established in 1992, Angela’s House helps the families of children who need long-term medical care. Delaney’s cousin, Caroline Serva, currently lives at one of the three Angela’s House locations.
Five-year-old Caroline has lived there since Sept. 2013. She was born premature with two other twins, but suffered severe brain damage soon after birth. Doctors believe Caroline will never be able to walk, talk, sit unassisted or eat solid food.
Many other families across Long Island struggle with a lack of long-term pediatric care.
Delaney said the idea started a few months ago when she and her cousin, Victoria, decided to sell cupcakes at a stand near her house. When Delaney told her mother, Ms. Hudock suggested thinking bigger and turning the sale into a fundraiser.
“I’m very proud of her,” Ms. Hudock said. “It’s always been my goal to show [my children] that they don’t always have to do just for themselves. They should be helping others who need help and keeping others in mind, not just always ‘me, me, me. I want, I want.’ ”
Together, Delaney and her mother created a Facebook page called “Cupcakes for Caroline” where they post about her baking progress.
Each month, Delaney offers a different flavor of cupcake, all made from scratch. In the past she’s sold seasonal cupcakes, like a red, white and blue cupcake in July, chocolate peanut butter and red velvet, her favorites.
“I like making them and decorating them,” she said. “That’s my favorite part.”
Ms. Hudock said that Delaney doesn’t need much help to bake the cupcakes. Her cousin has helped her in the past but for the most part, Delaney chooses the flavors and makes the baked goods all on her own.
Delaney sells boxes of cupcakes for five dollars each. Once the cupcakes are done, Delaney tells her fans when the baked goods can be picked up.
In addition to selling to the community, Delaney has attended events at Angela’s House, where she’s brought cupcakes to sell. Just distributing at these events, Delaney has raised about $650.
Delaney isn’t planning to rest on her laurels, since raising so much money is “really exciting.” Her goal is to raise $5,000 for the organization.
“I don’t know when I’ll stop or if I’ll stop,” Delaney said.
Delaney said she hopes the donations help the families with children living at Angela’s House, especially those who live far away from the group homes.
If you want to place an order, check out the Cupcakes for Caroline Facebook page.
Photo Caption: Delaney Hudock holds Caroline Serva, her family member who currently lives at Angela’s House. Delaney bakes and sells cupcakes about once a month and donates all the proceeds to Angela’s House.
