Individually wrapped cake confections, also known as cupcakes, are more than just sugary treats. They have the ability to make a difference in the fight to end cruelty against animals. For the first time, the Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) is joining forces with more than 86 SPCA and Humane Societies across Canada to ask for your participation in National Cupcake Day on Feb. 24. By baking up a batch to share at work, school and with family and friends, the OHS is asking bakers to collect donations in exchange for their cupcakes that will directly benefit animals that are neglected, abused, exploited or homeless.
“Who knew one small cake could harness such great power?” said Kelly Bélair, Manager of Events for OHS. “Cupcakes taste good and they make you feel good, especially when they’re making a life-saving difference in the lives of needy animals. We encourage all animal lovers and bakers in Ottawa to whip up a batch and do their part to fight cruelty with a cupcake.”
The OHS jumped onboard the national campaign this year to raise awareness and create National Cupcake Day as a truly Canada-wide initiative. They’ve also partnered with Ottawa’s own Cupcake Lounge who is serving as the OHS’s host cupcake shop. The Cupcake Lounge will be donating all proceeds from sales at both locations in the city on February 24. Additionally, local media are hosting a bake-off that day including CTV Ottawa’s Sarah Freemark and Melissa Lamb, Majic 100’s Trisha Owens, Melinda Roy and Katherine Dines and Bob FM’s Melanie Adams and Codi Jeffreys.
“One of the many great things about this event is that people don’t have to necessarily bake,” added Bélair. “By registering, they can have an online bakery that will allow them to raise money for the cause. But we do love the idea of all the baking parties and bake-offs happening throughout the city.”
National Cupcake Day was first launched by the RSPCA in Australia and was celebrated in some areas of Canada last year. The cause has been gaining headway with endorsements from celebrities including Canada’s own Anna Olson. She created an original recipe for the event – banana cupcakes with peanut butter cream cheese frosting.
“Cupcakes are the universal feel-good dessert,” she said. “When I discovered that National Cupcake Day™ helps animals, it was the icing on the cupcake. Whether you make my cupcake recipe or whip up a batch of your own, this is a great chance to feed your body and your soul with a little taste of happiness.”
By registering online, bakers will receive a package that includes a poster, sticker, balloons, fundraising guide and recipes. Donations can also be collected online by creating a personalized bakery web page to share across social media.
To register or find out more information on how you can support this cause, visit www.nationalcupcakeday.ca.
