Cupcakes to the RESCUE!

Latest Update: We have raised over $17,000!! More still to come!

We have surpassed our goal of $15,000 for National Cupcake Day 2017!! Oh how deliciously sweet it is!

Donations are still rolling in from those hosting their own cupcake parties, making National Cupcake Day 2017 a record-breaking year!

We are literally blown away by the support of the community. This year’s event featured more action and ways to get involved, all of which added to its best ever success.

On Sunday February 26^th, the animal shelter opened its doors for the Cupcakes, Coffee and Kittens event hosted in partnership with the team at Royal LePage Trinity Realty. The event featured a cupcake bake sale, cats and kittens for adoption, coffee from the Lethal Buzz and a Chef’s Challenge featuring 8 delicious cupcakes baked by local restaurants and cafés.

“Our jaws dropped when there was a line up outside the shelter of people waiting to buy cupcakes. We sold out of 500 cupcakes by 1:30pm… we just couldn’t keep up!” said Marissa Dolotallas, Development & Administrative Supervisor for GTHS. “In addition, the Chef’s Challenge was fun and exciting. It was a new venture for us so we just never anticipated that it would gain this type of traction!”

On Monday February 27^th, the official National Cupcake Day, a team of GTHS volunteers took to the streets delivering pre-ordered cupcakes to local businesses. With over 1200 cupcakes ordered, it was a busy morning!

“We are delighted to announce that we exceeded our goal for funds raised for this event and we couldn’t have done it without the support of our volunteers, our community and our local businesses. I am so proud to volunteer for this organization that goes above and beyond for animals in our community every day. This event was an honour to lead and volunteer for,” said Pam Odam, Chair of the GTHS Cupcake Day committee.

Cupcake Committee (L-R): Pam Odam (Chair), Marissa Dolotallas (staff), Paula Lehr, Danielle Brown, Karla Seymour. Missing: Alison Glussich, Allan Thurman, Ann Gorton, Janet Tipold, Jenn Watt, Lindsay Robinson (staff), Norma Desjardins,

Speaking of Pam, this success of this event is in large part due to her leadership. Her passion and enthusiasm led a strong team of volunteers for months prior to our ‘party’. Building on her momentum from last year, she started early to recruit bakers, businesses and new ideas to help ensure this year would be the best one yet! And… she was also one of our top fundraisers!

Top Fundraisers:

$1,050.00   Raytheon ELCAN
$1,000.00   Town of Wasaga Beach
   $927.70   Grandmas Beach Treats
   $595.00   PAR-Med Property Services Inc.
   $570.00   Town of Wasaga Beach
   $529.95   Treasure Tails
   $500.00   Pam Odam

Winning cupcake: Salted Caramel Chocolate Explosion by Heli Vogrin at Heavenly Cafe.

New this year was the Chef Challenge: Creative Cupcake Contest. We had 8 participating restaurants and cafes, all of whom put their best ‘cupcake’ forward for our inaugural event.

With the talent of our local chefs, the judges faced a feat none have encountered before – to taste and crown a winner for the most scrumptious and creative cupcake in South Georgian Bay!

1st Place: Heavenly Cafe, Heli Vogrin – Salted Caramel Chocolate Explosion

2nd Place: Tesoro Mercato, Brita Stensson – Hazlenut Unicorn, Protector of All Animals: A light decadent chocolate cupcake with a crunchy hazelnut filling decorated with an adorable unicorn from a smooth Italian buttercream

3rd Place (3-way tie):

Culinary Designs, Susanna Lamy – Collingwood Car Bomb: Collingwood Brewery saison nuit beer infused dark chocolate cupcake topped with a Jameison whiskey and Baileys icing

Lakeside Seafood & Grill, Emily Mallen – Double chocolate with raspberry filling

The Smoke, Rob Janzen – Apple crisp cupcake with cream cheese filling

Check out the photos below of the drool-worthy cupcakes mm mmm! And thank you to our judges and participants!

Judges: Jenna Davis, Royal Le Page Trinity Realty | Meghan Harwood, The Peak 95.1 FM | Dave West, Dave West Photography | Drew Wright, Singer/Songwriter

And special mention to all the volunteers who baked and decorated over 1700 cupcakes with handcrafted precision and tastefully artistic prowess. WOW – what a beautiful way to show shelter love!!!

Overall, it’s been a fun event! With smiles and cupcakes galore, we are so fortunate and forever grateful to our volunteers and the community for their support.

From our hearts and paws to yours… Thank you!
~ Marissa Dolotallas, Development & Administrative Supervisor