Middle School Bake Sale Raises $1200 for Los Angeles Wildfire Victims

As fire ravages parts of Los Angeles, California, one of History instructor Octavia Sadler's first thoughts was, ‘what can we do to help?’ She asked her students in the “Be the Change” club if they could organize a bake sale and without hesitation, they jumped into action. She says students started making signs to hang around campus, and stepped up to the microphone during Middle School lunch encouraging students to bring in baked goods on Monday, January 13 for the bake sale.

“It was like Christmas morning when I walked into my classroom Monday morning,” said Sadler. “The desks were full of yummy treats!”

From homemade cakes to trail mix to blueberry muffins to homemade cookies hand-decorated with red Spartan heads — the bake sale was stocked and ready to open for business around the lunch hour during Middle School recess.

The Club is considered first responders of sorts to a crisis. Their initiative is to implement a plan of aid when they see a need. In the past, the Club has assisted with fundraising for Haiti, natural disasters like hurricanes and they even sponsored an angel tree at Christmas.

During the LA fire bake sale, club members set up shop on a picnic table outside Gunn Hall, with clear job responsibilities. Some students were in charge of advertising and energetically held signs, inviting people to check out the treats as they walked by. When a shopper asked, “Do you only take cash?” They replied with a smile, “Yes, and we also take IOUs!” Other classmates were stationed at the picnic table and thanked shoppers as they walked up. 

All of the treats were reasonably priced at $1, but many students and faculty gave much more. Sadler shared several memorable stories of Spartans’ generosity on full display: students auctioned off a cake that went for $103. One 6th grade student's little brother heard about the bake sale and wanted to donate $20. One Upper School student, who Sadler taught in Middle School, walked into her classroom the next day and handed her 150 Euros. 

Sadler says she was blown away by the hearts, drive and speedy response of her Middle School students. 

“It was an incredible experience and reminded me of what makes our community special,” said Sadler.

After all the treats were bought, the club raised $1200. At Head Chaplain Rev. Aimée Eyer-Delevett's suggestion, all of the proceeds will be donated to the Episcopal Diocese of LA, which is raising funds to help Episcopalians and Episcopal churches and schools that have been lost. Sadler says two Episcopal schools and one church burned down. Funds raised will also be used by local churches to help people in their community recover.

Sadler’s son lives in Venice Beach and she's been paying close attention to the fires that continue to cause major devastation and loss of life. She says his neighborhood has not been evacuated, but they have been told to be prepared. There are also a handful of St. Stephen’s students who have been directly impacted, and several employees who have family in the area. As far as we know, all are ok.