Volunteers, donors made special needs fundraiser go

I would like to thank all 1,300 people who came out to our Cupcakes And A Cause event, to raise money for Special Olympics, The Best Buddies Club at Hoffman Estates High School, Autism Speaks and the Schaumburg Autism Society, on Saturday, April 7, at Hoffman Estates High School.

We had over 9,000 cupcakes donated by various bakers. A very special thanks for their very generous donation and participation in the event, goes out to Stephanie Pullenza and the team of employees over at the West Schaumburg Target store. Between the Target employees and the store bakery, they contributed over 1,700 cupcakes to the our event.

Thank you Stephanie and your fellow Target employees! Special needs families in the community will not forget it!

I would like to thank the Faubourg Ballet, Notables, D54 Sensations and the Carter Bryant Jazz Band for performing for all 1,300 people that came that day.

Many thanks to Lynfred Winery in Roselle, Schaumburg Boomers Baseball club, Chicago Wolves, Hoffman Estates Park District, Bonefish Grill and Riccardo’s Restaurant in Schaumburg, Chicago Slaughter football team and the Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates Jewel stores for their generous contributions to our chance raffle.

It’s great to know that there are caring organizations and businesses in the community that want to help people and families with children and adults with special needs. If more businesses and organizations want to donate or volunteer for our event next year, please feel free to email me at mbaker721@comcast.net and let me know you’re interested.

This event wouldn’t have been as successful as it was if not for the help of many volunteers, led by Amy Bolas, Wanda Lee and Amy Longmore, who came out to help us pull this off. Thank you, everybody.

Mike Baker

Schaumburg Autism Society