Freezer Magic

Baking has begun at the Wilson home! We plan to produce:

50-100 store-bought-mix-and-can-of-frosting cupcakes


50-100 higher-end cupcakes with premier mix and homemade delicious buttercream frosting


4-6 fancy-schmancy cakes

6 pans of brownies

8 small loaves of banana bread and


25+ bags of delicious chocolate-covered gourmet pretzels (packaged in darling little tins purchased for 50 cents a piece at the Target dollar spot)

How will we make it work? Well, other than giving up some sleep, such ambition will be made possible through the magic of our freezer.

Let's say you want to help us out. You know next week is busy for you, but you would have time Saturday or Sunday afternoon...how do you manage?

Make either cakes, cupcakes, brownies, muffins, or breads. Let them cool. Wrap in plastic wrap and then place either in a ziploc bag or wrap with foil and stick it in the freezer until drop-off time. If it is an item you would frost, please do not do so until after removing it from the freezer.

Also, you can make cookie dough in advance, freeze it, and have it ready to bake quickly at the last minute when you may be more pressed for time.


Things to remember:

1. The Wilson Family Great American Bake Sale will be held Friday May 6th from 2-7 PM, and Saturday May 7th from 9 AM-4 PM at the Steeple Run Walgreens.

2. Drop-off for donations is Friday May 6th from 9 AM-noon at my house, but PLEASE contact me for other arrangements if this will not work for you. I will work with your schedule.

3. Tax-deductible online donations are accepted on our team page which can be accessed through the right sidebar of our site, at wilsonfamilycharity.blogspot.com

4. Please spread the word. You can find us on facebook, like us, and share us with your friends: https://www.facebook.com/wilsonfamilycharity

5. I still have flyers if you need one for your workplace breakroom, your church, or any where else you can think of.

6. We could use more volunteers to work the sale. Watch for our volunteer email coming out tomorrow.



Thanks so much to all of you willing to help in any way, from baking, to spreading the word, working the sale, purchasing our goods, and praying for the success of this event. I still can scarcely believe that in a land of plenty, with so many charity programs and governement programs at work that more than 17 million kids in America are at risk of hunger. That’s nearly 1 in 4. We are so blessed and look forward to working with you to do our part to share of our abundance.

Warmly,
Dave, Kristin, and children

Bake Sale Flyer

Please let you know if you have a good place to post one, such as the lunchroom at work or at a local business. I can either email you the flyer and you can print it, or I can get a printed copy to you.

Are you concerned about how to package your bake sale goodies?

Hello again Friends,

I have heard back from some of you with concerns regarding how to package some of your goodies. I have my own concerns about some of my items, mainly the smashable frosting-type ones. I also am thinking ahead to how to load the Suburban en route to Walgreens while protecting the goods as much as possible.

I have done a little searching online for bakery boxes and will make an order tonight or tomorrow. I have looked primarily at these boxes for items like frosted brownies: http://www.brpboxshop.com/2105.html and these designed for 2 cupcakes: http://www.brpboxshop.com/2100.html A colorful ribbon around the box will finish them off.

I think items like bread, unfrosted brownies, and rice krispie treats will be fabulous in simple saran wrap, and cookies will do well bagged or wrapped individually. I have also considered these single cupcake boxes: http://www.brpboxshop.com/2100.html to be used either for single cupakes or for items like sweet rolls or cinnamon rolls, if there are enough people making those to warrant an order.

If you are planning on an item that would do well in these boxes will you please let me know? And let me know how many you will use and of what kind? I would prefer to get as close to the right number we will use as possible. Also, if there is another size that would be better for you please let me know and we'll see if others would also use that type.

If you want to make a donation to cover the boxes you will use for your goods, that would be great, but if you do not want to or cannot, I am fully willing to cover the costs. I think the little bit of extra on packaging will pay for itself with increased sales. These will be Mother's Day ready and pair so nicely with a Walgreens card.

Thanks!
Kristin

PS Most of you did not sign up for this email list, but were chosen because you are a friend or family to ours. If you do not wish to receive future emails please let me know and I will remove you from this list. Alternatively, if you know of someone who would like to be added please let me know as well.

Practice makes perfect!

Yesterday we got busy in the kitchen:
*birthday cupcakes for a cute girl
in my Sunday School class
*cookies for friends my husband was visiting
*brownies for my daughter's Sunday School class
(I wish I'd taken pictures of all of those!)

And these beauties to thank some dear friends for their recent service to our family.
(I wish my photos did them justice!)

We were so busy dipping and sampling chocolates that dinner fell to the wayside. Instead, the children enjoyed chocolate dipped bananas and fresh berries and we called it a day. After a very late lunch it was the best way to go.

(Don't worry...we don't eat like this every night.)

Bake sale places, dates, and times

Hello Friends,

I received a few responses from people who missed our first email and wondered where and when the bake sale would be held. I have also had questions about drop-off. Drop-off will be at my home from 9AM-noon on Friday May 6th. If for some reason that time will not work for you but you would like to donate, please contact me to arrange an alternative solution.

I do post all volunteer letters to the website at http://wilsonfamilycharity.blogspot.com/ for your reference.

Please keep passing the word along!

Thanks so much,
Kristin

PS Here is the information about the bake sale from the first email:

May 6th-7th: Wilson Family Charity Great American Bake Sale held at the Steeple Run Walgreens (6S235 Steeple Run Drive, Naperville, Illinois 60540), 2-7 PM Friday, and 9-4 PM Saturday

• Our children are so blessed, yet nearly 1 in 4 kids in America faces hunger. Share our Strength is working to change that. Read more about it here: http://gabs.strength.org/

• How you can help: spread the word, solicit local businesses for donated goods, bake goods yourself or with your children, work the sale, purchase from the sale, spread the word online (as we will have an online donation page sending calorie-free virtual cupcakes!) and pray for good weather and for those giving and receiving.• All money raised will go directly to Share our Strength to aid them in the work of feeding hungry children in America.

PPS One last suggestion...if you enjoy cake decorating, consider decorating a special cake for our cake silent auction.

Woo Hoo!!!

TWO donations came in tonight to our team page! And I have two donation checks which I received for my birthday. Thank you so very much to our donors so far. Enjoy a virtual cupcake!

I just love knowing that others care like we do about children who are hungry. I know how hard it is for me to concentrate when I go too long without food. How is it then for a child with a hungry belly trying to focus and learn at school?

I'm thankful for this opportunity to serve children who need our help through the great work of Share our Strength and I'm thankful for those who serve with us. Small acts from many make a big difference.

Bake sale details

Just sent the next letter out! In case you missed it, I'm including it here (please email me at wilsonfamilycharity@gmail.com to be added to the list).

Dear Friends,

Only three weeks remain until the Wilson Family Charity Great American Bake Sale! We’re thankful for the responses we’ve received so far, but we need more help.

We are looking for volunteers to work the sale, plus more and more baked goods, and of course...customers!! In addition, if you have a business or know of a business that would like to donate an item for raffle, please let me know. I would be happy to set up a raffle table, along with a silent auction for cakes or higher-end sets of cupcakes.

Donated baked goods can be homemade or store-bought. Our basic price list is as follows:

· Cookies (small) : sets of 2 for $1
· Cookies (large): $1
· Cookies (dozen small): $5
· Brownies (large individual): $2
· Brownies (8 x 8): $6
· Standard cupcakes: $2
· Premium cupcakes: $3
· Muffins: $2
· Bread (small loaf): $4
· Bread (large loaf): $8
· Cake (slice): $4
· Cake (whole): $15 or by silent auction
· Pie (slice): $4
· Pie (whole): $20
· Lemonade: $1 per glass

Please consider packaging for both shelf appeal and ease of sale. If you have made a cake that you would like to sell by the slice, please slice and wrap or box individual slices before donating. Please prepackage cookies, bars, etc so they are ready to sell.

Inexpensive fold-over sandwich bags can be most useful. Simply cut the flap loose, and use for brownies, cookies, or cupcakes using ribbon to tie the top. Hobby Lobby and similar stores carry bags and boxes for baked goods as well.

If you are bringing store bought items, consider adding a ribbon or bow or stickers to the top. If you have items that you know are peanut or gluten or dairy free, please let me know so I can label them as such. Or feel free to label them yourself.

Our list above is not all-inclusive. One of our friends wondered about donating organic homemade granola in 1 quart mason jars. That sounds awesome! If you have healthier or more unique goods to donate we’ll take those too.

I plan to add in some chocolate covered long pretzels and homemade caramels, and maybe homemade chocolate covered peanut butter balls. We will find a price for whatever you bring. I’m sure you all have your own great recipes, but if you’re looking for a new one, consider: http://gabs.strength.org/site/PageServer?pagename=GABS_getinvolved_recipes.

Remember this will be Mother’s Day weekend, so consider creating goods that would pair nicely with a Walgreens greetings card for all of those last minute shoppers.

If you cannot participate but would still be willing to donate, please visit our team page at http://join.strength.org/site/TR/CEM/General?team_id=106258&pg=team&fr_id=1120

If there are any youth groups, scout troops, etc looking for a service activity, we would love to have them bake for us or even help run the sale.

And please pass the word along through facebook, email, word of mouth, twitter, or however you communicate. I also have flyers if you have a place to hang one.

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

Dave and Kristin Wilson and Family

Progress

The last few weeks did not go as planned. I was privileged enough to be able to fly out to CA and be with my Grandpa in his last days and hours. I was holding his hand when he passed away peacefully. And then I returned to CA a few days later for the funeral. He was the greatest of the great and is sorely missed, though we are all uplifted by the thought of him with Grandma, my aunt, his parents, and his seven siblings.

Due to this unexpected travel, the charity had to take a backseat. After an extra week of recovery for myself, the children, and our house, I'm back at it. I'm working on finalizing a charity logo, and making progress on the bake sale. Our team page is operational, and we'd love your donations there. The next volunteer email will go out by Friday, and I'll post a copy here.

I have big plans for this little charity. It may take time to grow into a powerful force for good, but in the meantime, we'll be happy to make a small difference in the lives of a few.

Our first email

My Dear Friends,

We need your help. Our family has embarked on a service adventure, spearheading a series of fantastic charity projects to benefit children. In case you couldn’t tell, I really love children and this year I want my children to serve side by side with Dave and me and our friends and neighbors as we proactively assist some wonderful organizations to serve children in need.

I know many of you already volunteer in a number of ways, and we think that’s awesome. We hope you will have the time and/or money to join with us, and that at the very least, you will spread the word to your friends, sports teams, churches, and to anyone who can help. No volunteers will be turned away, but in order to keep our efforts coordinated, please keep us updated on how you’ve chosen to help.

So what’s on the Wilson Family Charity agenda so far?

May 6th-7th: Wilson Family Charity Great American Bake Sale held at the Steeple Run Walgreens (6S235 Steeple Run Drive, Naperville, Illinois 60540), 2-7 PM Friday, and 9-4 PM Saturday

• Our children are so blessed, yet nearly 1 in 4 kids in America faces hunger. Share our Strength is working to change that. Read more about it here: http://gabs.strength.org/

• How you can help: spread the word, solicit local businesses for donated goods, bake goods yourself or with your children, work the sale, purchase from the sale, spread the word online (as we will have an online donation page sending calorie-free virtual cupcakes!) and pray for good weather and for those giving and receiving.

• All money raised will go directly to Share our Strength to aid them in the work of feeding hungry children in America.

Late summer-early September: Wilson Family Charity School Kits Drive

• Our children have an abundance of the tools needed for learning, yet so many children have a great desire to learn and don’t even own a pencil. LDS Philanthropies collects humanitarian aid supplies and school kits to help those in such a circumstance. See page 5 for school kit guidelines: http://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services/patterns/service-project-guidelines.pdf

• How you can help: spread the word, purchase school supplies according to the guidelines (we’ve targeted the timeline of back-to-school sales), donate fabric for the bags, help sew the bags, aid in assembling the kits, and pray for those donating and receiving.

• All completed kits will be donated to LDS Philanthropies for distribution around the world, primarily to schools and orphanages and also as part of disaster relief upon occasion. One thing I love about LDS Philanthropies is that it is a volunteer organization with all costs covered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Monetary and in kind donations are used 100% for relief of those in need.

November 12th 2-4 PM: Feed My Starving Children session reserved for Wilson Family Charity

• According to the website: Feed My Starving Children is a Christian organization committed to “Feeding God’s Starving Children Hungry in Body and Spirit.” If you have ever been to help, you have felt of the great spirit of this organization as they seek out hungry children across the world and feed them, one little bagged meal at a time. To learn more, visit: http://www.fmsc.org/

• How you can help: spread the word, let me know that you would like to volunteer (as we can take the first 85 to respond), donate to the organization and/or collect donations, and pray for those both giving and receiving.

• All monetary donations for the event will go to Feed My Starving Children. Each volunteer will pack approximately $52 worth of food. I would love for us to cover as much of that as we can ourselves and we would be happy to take along any donations you have collected even if you cannot attend.

Time and place TBD: Wilson Family Charity Talent Show and Book Drive

• More information to follow.

Last month I was privileged to volunteer again at Feed My Starving Children where I learned that FMSC will host your birthday party group. That sounds like a fabulous party to me! Unfortunately I was too late to book a party for my birthday next month, but the thought snowballed for me as I realized that I will turn 33. This was the age of our Savior Jesus Christ when he completed his mortal ministry and took upon himself the sins and sorrows of the world. He was crucified and resurrected and I know He lives. And I feel compelled to follow His example in a bigger way this year. He taught, “Suffer [or allow] the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14). How can I better serve Him than to take care of his children and invite others to join me?

Though we volunteer as Christians, we believe that good works are good works regardless of religious beliefs or affiliations. We welcome all volunteers. We hope and pray that you will consider these projects and determine how you can help us bring relief to wonderful children who need us.

Warmly,

Dave and Kristin Wilson and Family

PS I will be sending future emails to this list about these projects (though I promise not to clutter your inbox). If you would not like to be included in future emails please let me know. Also, if you know of someone who would like to be added to the list, please send me their email address.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Wilson Family Charity blog! We are so excited to move forward with projects we have felt inspired to undertake, projects which will allow us to gather the good people in our lives and benefit those in need as a team.

Please bear with us as we move forward with the technology side of building a charity. We are not professional web designers or logo designers, and at this time we are unwilling to divert funds away from the actual charity work.

We look forward to partnering with as many families and individuals as we can reach out to. No volunteers will ever be turned away.

Please follow our blog and sign up for email updates. To be added to our email list, or to contact us for any other reason please email us at wilsonfamilycharity@gmail.com.