Now, as we get closer and closer to the BIG NIGHT, it seems
appropriate to throw out a little shout out to a local cupcake shop that has shown
an incredible amount of support for Relay For Life at UVA.
Tara Koenig, owner of SweetHaus on Main Street, has been
supporting Relay for the past few months by donating a portion of the profit
for every cupcake with purple frosting to Relay For Life at UVA. Her incredible
generosity has provided a huge boost for fundraising, and it seems fitting that in the final
countdown we get to know really who Tara Koenig is, and what prompted her to
get involved with Relay here at UVA.
When asked about how she became involved with Relay at UVA,
she recounts that she was sought after by students from Relay looking to see if
she was interested in a fundraiser. As she says, “[I] was happy to be asked and to
be able to offer support.” These cupcakes have not only been sold in the shop,
but also by students on grounds to, not only raise funds for Relay, but also (a
happy side effect) to spread the word about SweetHaus. Koenig states, “I was
really excited when Kate Belza offered to sell our cupcakes on the lawn.” So
excited, in fact, that she increased her donation from fifty cents to
seventy-five cents per cupcake! “I really appreciate their time and effort to
come and pick up the cupcakes at the shop as well as spend their time selling
them on the lawn.” This arrangement has definitely been a win-win for both
SweetHaus and Relay.
We all know that working for Relay is incredibly satisfying,
but what does Koenig find to be the best part about sponsoring this fundraiser?
“Incorporating charity into something people are excited to do on a regular
basis, like eating cupcakes, makes you feel good in every possible way. You are
getting a sweet treat, you are donating to charity, and hopefully eventually
you will have participated in saving a life! I have learned that every little
cent can add up to make a difference. It’s true in business, and it’s true in
fundraising!” Koenig’s business experience has given her a new perspective that
we are glad to have supporting our Relay event, and we are all, I’m sure,
incredibly grateful to Koenig for her involvement these last few months.
However, this stellar owner of SweetHaus isn’t just
incredibly generous. Koenig, as well as many of us, has her own cancer story,
and a close-to-the-heart reason for providing support for Relay For Life.
Koenig lost her only sister, only 34 years old, to cancer only six years ago.
As stated on her website, Koenig is “often struck by how many people I come
into contact with who have also suffered the loss of a loved one from cancer.”
Her own personal story has helped to forge a wonderful bond between a new, up
and coming business within in the Charlottesville community and Relay at UVA.
When we all work together, it is amazing what we can do to utilize the
communities created by cancer to work for a cure, and many, many more
birthdays.
So, maybe in these last days before Relay, you’ll find
yourself out at SweetHaus doing a little bit of good not only for Relay, but
also for yourself (who doesn’t love a good cupcake?)! Let’s get those last
cents in right before the big night!
As always, with Relay-Love,
Relay For Life at UVA
