By Devlin Smith
As sixth graders friends Dorothy Goodwin, Lauren Flynn and Olivia Overington started Peace Love Cupcakes, selling cupcakes to raise money for local causes. Now in high school, the girls continue to make and sell cupcakes, with African Well Fund their latest beneficiary.
Peace Love Cupcakes will be hosting a cupcake sale on March 21 at the Market Basket in Westford, Massachusetts. You can support the fundraiser by purchasing cupcakes at the event or making a donation through the Peace Love Cupcakes Crowdrise page and help the girls reach their goal of raising $15,000 for AWF.
Dorothy, Lauren and Olivia answered a few questions about Peace Love Cupcakes and making an impact on the world.
How did Peace Love Cupcakes get started?
Peace Love Cupcakes began when we were in sixth grade. We decided we wanted to give back to our community while doing something we loved, which is baking. And thus, Peace Love Cupcakes was created.
What causes and organizations have you supported in the past?
We have supported MSPCA, the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter, the Ellie Fund, House of Hope, and now the African Well Fund.
Why did you decide to raise money for AWF?
We decided to raise money for the African Well Fund because water is an essential aspect of a healthy life and we feel it’s necessary to help bring it to other people in the world.
What is your goal for the fundraiser?
We hope to raise $15,000 to build a borehole well providing a community with clean water, and to hopefully spread our message of philanthropy along the way.
When did it start?
It started at the beginning of our freshman year, in September of 2013.
When will it end?
We hope to reach our goal and finish this project in our senior year, spring of 2017.
How can people support your fundraiser?
People can support our fundraiser by coming to our cupcake stands and purchasing cupcakes or donating. They can also donate through the secure link on our website, www.crowdrise.com/peacelovecupcakes. People can also help support us by becoming part of our sponsor program.
What kind of reaction have you gotten to your fundraiser?
People tend to be very surprised that we started giving back at such a young age. And, once they hear about our current project, they are very supportive. They are often taken aback by our age and the fact that this is a mission independent from our school. In addition, friends and family support us and encourage us to continue our efforts and complete strangers have been very positive and helpful.
How are you spreading the word?
We get our word out through our personal social media and on our website, www.peace-love-cupcakes.org. In the past, we have been featured in newspapers and that has sent word around about our project.
Why is it important for you to work for causes like AWF?
It is important to work for such causes because spreading philanthropy and charitable notions is very important to us. We understand that this is just a small part of a bigger picture, but we firmly believe that everyone must do his or her part in order to make the positive progress we all wish to see in our world.
What advice do you have for other kids who want to start their own fundraisers?
Our best advice is to start small and do as much as you can to improve your efforts as you go. Things may turn out differently than your original expectations, but as long as you are interested in your work and feel you are making the impact you wish to, then keep going.
When we were younger, we started this mainly as a fun activity for us to do together. But as time has gone by and we have matured, we’ve begun to see the impact people can make when they come together with the common goal of bettering the world we live in.
This project has taught us not only about the world, economics, and different cultures, but also about whom we are as people, what we’re passionate about, and how we can make a difference. With Peace Love Cupcakes, we have found inspiration for ourselves and hope to do the same for others.
