COVID-19 impacts how OSPCA celebrates National Cupcake Day on February 22, 2021

Frosted festivities: How to celebrate National Cupcake Day during the pandemic?  

How sweet it is to save animals! Heather Jobe, the Community Development Coordinator at the Ontario SPCA Renfrew County Animal Centre, wants you to "sprinkle the love for animals in need by participating in National Cupcake Day!" This year's frosted fundraiser culminates on February 22, 2021. Like everything else in the world, the celebration has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. But that's alright- Heather has some advice about how you can think outside the muffin tin to celebrate the sweetest day of the year.

"We are going to mix it up this year and already have some sweet ideas on the go," Heather said. "Rather than hosting an in-person Cupcake Day party as you may have done in past years, this year, to keep people safe during COVID-19, we’re asking Canadians to bake a difference at home with our virtual cupcake decorating contest and raise funds online to help animals in their community."

To get involved you can bake, decorate, and share photos of your cupcake creations with family and friends online. They can vote and donate to the cause of helping local animals in need. Don't forget to tag the Centre!

"Kids, adults, and even professional bakers can join in the decorating fun," said Heather. Keep an eye on their Facebook page to see cupcakes baked and decorated by the OSPCA team. In the past, Heather has spent National Cupcake Day bouncing around the community visiting cupcake parties. This year local businesses and organizations can still get involved, they just need to be innovative. Heather has some creative ways you can fundraise by having a pandemic-safe cupcake party. 

"While there won't be bake sales like in previous years, there are still many ways for you to involve your workplace in celebrating National Cupcake Day," Heather said. "Promote National Cupcake Day through an internal email or company newsletter, driving traffic to your personal fundraising page. Host a raffle or auction with prizes donated by your company. Have an office-wide cupcake decorating contest and challenge your colleagues to bake and decorate cupcakes at home and submit photos of their masterpieces!"

The pandemic has introduced new technology to everyday life. Why not use that to host a sweet fundraiser? Host a Zoom meeting for your team or workplace to virtually celebrate and raise funds for National Cupcake Day. Challenge another department to create a team, and see who can raise the most donations for the animals. The winner gets bragging rights on your Zoom call. 

This special day is all about the animals. So how does cupcake day help support animals at the Centre? Heather has the inside scoop. 

"The Ontario SPCA and participating SPCA is a charitable organization that relies on the generosity of donors to change the lives of vulnerable animals. By taking part in National Cupcake Day and raising funds for the participating animal organization of your choice, you are providing urgently needed care and shelter for homeless animals," Heather said.  

One extra sweet thing about cupcake day is when you sign up you pick your local participating animal shelter. That means the funds you raise stay local. They help feed and shelter animals from your community. That's worth a few extra calories!

I asked Heather to share her favourite cupcake recipe that she has tasted. She has extensive experience sampling cupcakes at the many cupcake parties she visits. She was kind enough to share the recipe!

"Hands down my friend and fellow cupcake-a-teer and volunteer Lea Thompson bakes the most scrumptious Pina Colada cupcakes- rum inspired!"

You don't need to exclusively bake cupcakes to get involved with this year's frosted festivities. Mix it up!

"There are lots of ways to bake a difference! Not a fan of cupcakes? No problem! Bake cookies, cake pops, pup-cakes (can't forget about the dogs), or a healthy alternative! Imagine fruit served in little muffin tin liners. Too cute! The possibilities are endless," Heather said.

Do you think you have award-winning cupcake decorating skills? Register, get baking, and start fundraising throughout January and February! Visit NationalCupcakeDay.ca to submit a photo of your cupcake creation and enter to win some drool-worthy prizes.