If cats are among the favourite images on the internet, then cupcakes must be a pretty close second and Connie Schwieg seized an opportunity to combine her love of both. Schwieg was credited by Leah Kinghorn, President of the Opeongo Seniors Centre, as the driving force behind the Cupcake Day held on February 25th at the Centre in aid of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (SPCA). In just four hours last Tuesday, the sale of cupcakes brought in a total of $552 for the cause. Kinghorn said people came to buy the sweet treats “from Whitney, from Killaloe, from all over.” Staff from the municipal offices and yards came in to buy them in bulk to take back to their colleagues, as did some local businesses. Prices were not suggested; instead people were asked to donate as much as they liked. Above Connie Schwieg (l) and Leah Kinghorn.
National Cupcake Day is a coordinated national event supported by the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society on behalf of participating local shelters, SPCA’s, and Humane Societies. The event is a fundraiser for their work with all rescued animals – not only cats. Kinghorn said the Opeongo Seniors rallied willingly to the cause, baking and donating more than two hundred cupcakes for Cupcake Day. The bakers then assembled at the Centre on Monday afternoon to decorate them all.
As for the driving force behind Cupcake Day in Barry’s Bay, Schwieg’s love of cats is well known in the Valley. Over the years, she’s adopted plenty of them, and was also involved with the former Valley Animal Rescue in Barry’s Bay when a local program existed to deal with the number of strays. She provided the photos of cats on a decorated tree (see photo at top) to show some of the 300 cats who were adopted through that program over 2.5 years.
Good for you Connie and Leah!!! Great community volunteers!!