Cupcakes for Austin

EDITOR:

During Carson Valley Days, the Austin Kirby Foundation had a "cupcake booth" at Lampe Park. Almost 3,000 cupcakes were sold to the general public at $1 apiece. Staffed by agents and management of Century 21 Clark Properties, and Austin Kirby's family, with much of the expenses donated by Sysco Foods, Model Dairy, and the Carson Valley Inn, the foundation raised a little over $3,000 during the weekend.

That entire amount will be used to help support the Carson Valley Children's Center - Austin's House. As the state budget woes multiply, the money available for children's services is constantly being reduced, and Austin's House has been receiving less money, by far, than actual operating costs. The increasing shortfall has to be met by donations from the Austin Kirby Foundation and the community at large. We wanted to thank all of the wonderful people who stopped and chatted about Austin's House, made donations, and enjoyed our cupcakes.

Also, special thanks to Lynn Watson and her mom, Barbara, and Lauren Saunders, our "alligator applicators," Kris Hall for her superior sales skills, Dick Ridley and Tim Egan for nighttime security, Jill Kratz in sales, Lori Raschilla and Monica Seles in sales, Craig and Gabe Hall for their comic relief, Danny Villalobos for best outfit in Austin's House pink, and 9-year-old Ella Dillwith and her grandmother JoAnn Bruns, they worked tirelessly to sell cupcakes all over the park. Mike and Karen Smith and Jim and Shele Pandl rounded out the crew, and their help was invaluable.

A generous donation was made by Innerwest Advertising & Public Relations. Thanks again to everyone, you made it all work, and Austin's House appreciates everything.