聽 聽 聽Cathy Burton of Arcola has combined her love of baking with her love of running to help people in need this Christmas-much of it one cupcake at a time.
聽聽聽聽 Since October, Burton has baked, decorated and sold 641 cupcakes and secured sponsors to singlehandedly raise $1,008 for her participation in the 14th annual Salvation Army Santa Shuffle five-kilometre run and one-kilometre elf walk held in Regina on Dec. 6.
聽聽聽聽聽 Major Doug Binner of the Salvation Army in Regina told The Observer that Burton was 鈥淥ur top contributor. When she said she raised $1,008, I was absolutely thrilled. Not only because she'd done it, but also because of how long she'd been working on this. We're indebted to all of our volunteers and I am especially grateful that Cathy took the time to think of others and to help others.鈥� 聽聽
聽聽聽聽聽 Burton says,鈥淪tarting in October, I did themed cupcakes and sold them at (Arcola) school and through Facebook. A lot of people would request a dozen for work, and the kids at school would line up with their loonies. I had one little girl in grade two who made me a picture and a little note that said, 'I love your cupcakes.' It's the little things like that that made it worthwhile to me.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 An avid marathon runner and baker, Burton says she first combined these interests to benefit the Salvation Army two years ago. 鈥淟ucille Weber and I first did the Santa Shuffle two years ago. This year, I knew Lucille couldn't run, so I did it myself this year. I missed last year, so I was really ready to continue this year. I just think the Salvation Army is such an important organization. They do so much to help so many people in need.鈥澛�
聽聽聽聽 As an educational assistant at Arcola School, Burton is especially enthusiastic about where the Salvation Army will use the proceeds from this year's Santa Shuffle, as this year, the organization aims to raise $10,000 to help with upgrades to the Haven of Hope Community Ministries kitchen, so it can better serve its school feeding program.
聽聽聽聽 鈥淟ast year, we gave out over 29,000 healthy school lunches. And with some kitchen renovations, we're going to be able to do that more efficiently and more effectively,鈥� says Major Doug Binner of the Salvation Army. 鈥淲e haven't got our final accounting yet, but this year we made $6,200 from the run. With T-shirt sales and corporate contributions, I am confident that we've surpassed our $10,000 goal.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 This total makes Burton's contribution even more impressive, as she raised one-tenth of the goal on her own, but she remains matter-of-fact and modest about her contribution.
聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淚 do a lot of runs,鈥� says Burton. 鈥淎nd most of them are fundraisers for a cause. I do lots of creative stuff and I love running. If I can combine those two things to help someone who needs it, I'm happy to do it.鈥�
