Pack ‘n Spice Horison did its part for National Cupcakes 4 Kids with Cancer Day, 28 September. Organiser, Litza Roodt, decided four years ago that a local, intimate venue could draw in those less enthusiastic about shopping malls.
Litza, a dedicated member of Cupcakes of Hope for eight years, began the local drive at Pack n Spice Horison four years ago. Since then she and her fellow volunteers have baked almost 1 000 cupcakes and raised just over R10 000.
Driven by a love of baking and a passion for children’s well-being, Litza also has a deeper motive. Since she began her work with Cupcakes of Hope, she has lost a dear friend and her mother-in-law to cancer. Through this initiative she is able to honour and remember the love she shared with these two women.
From Litza’s first humble donation of 48 cupcakes in 2011, she has recruited several ‘cupcake warriors’’ and is one of the driving forces of the community determined to raise funds and promote awareness for children with life-threatening diseases. These cupcakes touch the lives of everyone involved, from those who bake them, the volunteers that promote them, the public who receive them and finally the children who benefit from the proceeds.
2019, however, was a record year, with the community raising roughly R15 400. Litza took it upon herself to go above and beyond her passion and hosted an additional event a week early. The first event, hosted at a local school, raised over R6 000. The main event on Saturday boasted 830 cupcakes and raising R8 800.
September was also Childhood Cancer Awareness month and Litza did her part by distributing leaflets about the early warning signs of cancer. Early detection is key, and sadly so many young children are misdiagnosed or diagnosed too late.
Litza was even able to call on local star power, with actor Anelise Phewa and Mrs Africa 2019 Reinette Herbst making special appearances.
Litza was quick to stress though that it was all about the greater goal of reaching Cupcakes of Hope’s R2 million target, and was delighted to confirm that it had been reached.
Cupcakes of Hope truly are “Making a difference, one cupcake at a time”.
