A young baker from Sarto is turning her love of cookies and pies into something much bigger this week — a fundraiser for a family in need.
Seventeen-year-old Caitlin Penner, known to many as The Tiny Baker, will be holding a bake sale on Friday, June 6 at Clearspring Centre in Steinbach. The event is in support of her former co-worker, Lena Friesen, whose husband Andrew has been in critical care on life support for more than a month due to a life-threatening heart condition.
Penner said she felt compelled to act after hearing Lena’s story.
“I felt God come into my heart and tell me this is something you can use your gift of baking for,” said Penner. “So I went home, chatted with my parents, got in touch with Gerald at the mall, and I set up the fundraiser.”
Heart condition keeping Andrew in hospital
Andrew Friesen has been battling heart issues for over a year, and in recent weeks, complications have put him into a coma. Penner says the goal is to eventually get Andrew strong enough for a heart transplant.
With Andrew in hospital and unable to work, the family has no income. Lena is now juggling trips to the city, caring for their five children, and managing household expenses — a situation Penner says touched her deeply.
“She’s been taking care of him and the kids, trying to keep everything going,” Penner shared. “So this was just a way that I could help them out.”
From cookies to compassion
Penner has been baking for days, preparing a wide selection of treats including pies, cinnamon buns, cakes, fruit bars, and her most-requested item — giant cookies with gooey chocolate centres.
The bake sale will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday until sold out. In addition to baked goods, there will be a donation box and a card-writing station where people can share messages of encouragement for the Friesen family.
For those unable to attend in person, Penner is accepting donations through The Tiny Baker accounts on Instagram and Facebook. She says she’ll make arrangements with anyone who wants to give by e-transfer or cash.
A heart for helping
While Penner has gained a local following for her baking talent, her generosity is what has people talking this week.
“This isn’t just about baking. It’s about using what I have to make a difference,” Penner said.
She hopes the community will rally behind the Friesen family and show them they are not alone.
The Tiny Baker fundraiser for Andrew and Lena Friesen takes place Friday, June 6 at Clearspring Centre in Steinbach.
-With files from Carly Koop.