Plains Elementary School
The smell of freshly baked cookies and cupcakes surrounded Mustang Field Oct. 17 as a group of Plains Elementary fifth graders turned their compassion and their culinary skills into a heartwarming community effort.
The students hosted a bake sale to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the results were nothing short of inspiring.
The idea began in Ann Swank’s fifth-grade classroom, where five students wanted to make a difference in honor of those affected by breast cancer.
What started as a small idea quickly grew into a full-fledged project powered almost entirely by the students themselves. They planned the event, designed posters, and baked dozens of treats in preparation for Friday evening.
“I just asked for permission to make sure we could have the bake sale, sent home Dojo messages asking for baked goods, and gave them the time and space to organize,” Swank said. “The kids took it from there, and they did all the hard work. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
The bake sale held special meaning for Swank, whose mother passed away earlier this school year after a 14-year battle with breast cancer.
“This project was very close to my heart,” she shared. “Seeing my students work together to support something so personal to me was incredibly moving.”
By the end of the day, every cookie, brownie, and cupcake had found a home, and the students had raised $450 for breast cancer awareness and research. But beyond the funds, they also learned powerful lessons about empathy, teamwork and the impact of community service.
With bright smiles and frosting-covered fingers, these young bakers proved even small acts of kindness can make a big difference one sweet treat at a time. They are already asking when they can have the next bake sale.
