In the 15 years since Cakes4Kids was launched, the nonprofit has been baking up custom birthday cakes for kids in need determined to make their birthdays special.

Some are battling homelessness. Others are part of the foster care system. And some are just having a tough go at the moment.

The network of volunteer bakers has been creating custom birthday cakes since Libby Gruender was inspired to make cakes for at-risk youth and foster kids in the San Francisco area in 2010. Since then, more than 75,000 cakes have been baked and delivered to youth throughout the United States, according to a story on the Good News Network website.

“They get to choose the flavor and the theme, so it’s personalized just for them, exactly what they want — whether it’s cupcakes, cookies, bars, brownies, or cakes,” Cake4Kids Executive Director Alison Bakewell told Kelly Clarkson during a recent appearance on her television talk show.

The nonprofit partners with nonprofits and government organizations who request a birthday cake for a child they are working with. Volunteers are told the kind of cake, cupcakes, cookies — whatever treat the child wants as well as desired theme, decorations, flavors and other details needed to help make the birthday treat as special as possible.

"We just have this amazing group of bakers," Bakewell told Clarkson. "They are the heart and soul of the organization. I'm just thrilled to be able to work with all of our amazing volunteers."

On the show, one of the nonprofit's volunteers was introduced to a mom of two young daughters, the oldest of which had just turned 4 years old. The women shared that her husband, herself and her two daughters were renting a single room as they worked to find their way out of poverty.

“Sometimes we’re not able to, you know, give her everything that we want," the woman told the Cakes4Kids pair and Clarkson while struggling to hold back tears. "So, seeing her really happy, seeing all the characters on the cake really made me and my husband grateful for you guys.”

It was a reminder that even if they were struggling, that there was good in the world and that magic could still happen.

Magic similar to that which the Sandpoint Lions provide through the club's Toys for Tots Christmas campaign. As part of the drive, the club partners with local residents and business to raise $75,000 to buy toys and gift cards for more than 1,000 youth in the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

To date, the campaign has raised $12,352.50 toward its $75,000 goal to provide Christmas presents to those in need in the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

If you know someone who needs help, make sure they sign up so Christmas is a happy holiday for everyone in the community. The deadline this year is Dec. 12 to sign up and Dec. 13 to pick up toys.

Each year, the Lions team up with local businesses and residents through Toys for Tots to ensure everyone has a merry Christmas.

Funds raised go toward purchasing new toys for area children — or gift cards for older youth — who live in the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

Every Christmas, the Lions help almost 1,000 area children, from Sandpoint to Clark Fork and all points in between.

This year’s goal is $75,000 to ensure all area youth receive a present. Donations may be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, P.O. Box 414, Sandpoint, ID 83864, or dropped into any coin jar around town. Donations should include a note that it is for Toys for Tots and, if you wish to remain anonymous, please mention that in your note.

Donations made by check are preferred. Be sure to include a note with your check indicating that it is a Toys for Tots donation. If you wish to make an anonymous donation, please include a note.

If the donation is being made in someone’s name, be sure to also include a note.

Each day during the drive, donors’ names will be published along with the amount of their donations. A running total will be included to help the community know where the Toys for Tots campaign stands.

If you can, please consider donating. Every penny, every dollar adds up, and if we all pitch in, we can make this, once again, a successful Toys for Tots campaign. Additional donations help the Lions buy ahead and make the most of the community’s generous support.

In Sandpoint, toys and donations can be dropped off at the Bonner County Daily Bee, Mr. Sub, Columbia Bank, Connie’s Cafe, Serv-A-Burger, Mountain West Bank, Pivo Peaks Alehouse, Sandpoint Family Medicine and Urgent Care, and the Bonner County Fairgrounds.

In Sagle, toys and donations can be dropped off at Buckin’ Beans and Encoder Products (in the front lobby, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

In Ponderay, toys and donations can be dropped off at Alpenglow Salon, Walmart, North 40, Columbia Bank, Arnie’s, Better Together Animal Shelter, Community Resource EnVision Center, Litehouse, Elite Tire, Vinnie Todd’s Barbershop, Hoot Owl, Papa Murphy’s and Mountain West Bank.

Information: Sandpoint Lions Club, 208-263-4118, [email protected] or bit.ly/SandpointLions