When Sand Canyon area residents Kit Duarte and her daughter Elyse heard about the memorial fund being started for the families of the two firefighters killed in the Station Fire, they wanted to do something to help raise money.

Since Elyse and her friends were already experienced lemonade and baked good vendors, they decided to put their knowledge to work and give back.

Remembering their success with previous bake sales, they knew what kind of impact they could have when they support a worthy cause. What began as a way to earn a little extra allowance became a powerful demonstration that everyone has the power to make a difference.

The six girls gathered Saturday, September 12 for a baking and sign-making sleepover. The following morning at 11:00 a.m. they were open for business on Iron Canyon Road near Sand Canyon and, thanks to an e-mail and roadside advertising campaign, were soon serving more than 100 customers eager to buy goodies for a good cause.

Some simply stopped by to make donations, or greatly overbid the asking price of $1.00 per item; one woman even paid $200 for one plate of cookies. Their initial inventory of homemade cookies and goodies soon ran out and had to be replenished by a quick run to the market. By the time they closed up shop, they had raised $1,108.

The girls then delivered the unsold treats to firefighters at the local fire station, who gave them a tour of the facility there.

Elyse Duarte, Amanda Horii, Lexi & Kamryn Tennies, Julia Lynch, and Emmy Ardo attend Legacy Christian Academy in the 6^th and 7^th grades. Excited from their success with the sale, they are already talking about further fundraisers and what else they can do to help their community.

Fire Captain Tedmund “Ted” Hall and Fire Fighter Specialist Arnaldo “Arnie” Quinones died on August 30, 2009, when they were overrun by fast moving flames near Fire Camp 16. If you missed the bake sale but would still like to contribute, the funds supporting the families are still accepting donations. Checks can be made payable to:

F&A Federal Credit Union – “Memorial Fund”
P.O.Box 30831
Los Angeles 90030-9972

The Station Fire has burned 160,547 acres and is now 87 percent contained. Firefighters expect full containment this Saturday.