CAKES FOR A CAUSE

The Miami Valley Centre Mall was buzzing with excitement in late April as the Piqua community came together to celebrate spring with a multitude of amazing cakes, all for a great cause.

The Piqua Community Foundation sponsored “Cakes for a Cause” - a community event and cake auction staged April 27 and 28 to benefit the Foundation’s Piqua Community Fund. This fund makes grants twice each year to charitable organizations that provide programs or projects that will help improve life for residents of Piqua and the surrounding area.

Ninety-four cakes were displayed at the mall on April 27. These creatively designed cakes were donated to the cause by local businesses, individuals, schools and not-for-profit organizations. Most cakes were accompanied by “incentives” – added by the donors – that significantly increased the values of the cakes. Incentives ranged from a “Martini Party” for ten, to event tickets, to a 72” walnut propeller, to an afternoon of free yard work and many included gift certificates to local merchants and businesses.

Silent bids were taken at the mall Thursday evening and Friday during the day. From noon Friday until 5:00 PM, the auction was broadcast live on W.P.T.W. radio. Each twenty-minute time slot included the auctioning of 6 to 7 cakes, with cakes and incentives going to the highest bidder at the end of the time slot.

Those visiting the mall could vote for their favorite cakes, with the top vote-getter earning “The People’s Choice” award. The 2006 People’s Choice award was given to Mullenbrock and Associates for their cake depicting the Miami Erie canal. The incentive awarded to the buyer of that cake will be a private party at the Johnston Farm complete with a canal boat ride.

Hartzell Propeller, Inc. won the Top Bid award, resulting from the $750 bid on their cake which displayed the Hartzell Propeller logo and was accompanied by a display-ready walnut propeller.

The Foundation expresses sincere thanks to all those who donated cakes, purchased cakes, volunteered their time and expertise to the event, and to those who attended or listened and got caught up in the “Cakes for a Cause” excitement. The event generated over $11,000 for the Piqua Community Fund.

To see photos of all cakes, and names of all cake donors and bakers, click here.

WDTN's Jim Bucher poses with Cindy Dobo-Hoffman and Stacy Scott.

Jim Brown of Hartzell Propeller, Inc. receives trophy for Top Bid Cake

Craig and Nancy Mullenbrock with their Peoples' Choice Cake

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