Baked goods spread a lot of joy. They help people celebrate happy occasions, provide comfort after tough days and allow for brief feelings of indulgence. They also hold the potential to do even more than that. As Mike Elder-former auto mechanic and three-time "Ultimate Cake-Off" champion-and Jo Ann Greenwald-former nurse practitioner and owner of Emily's Edibles-show, baked goods have the power to truly make a difference.

Icing on the Cake
Mike Elder, three-time champion of TLC’s “Ultimate Cake Off,” is about to make a big difference in several women’s lives. He is hosting an event called “Icing on the Cake” to benefit the Newhouse Shelter, a domestic violence shelter for abused and battered women in Kansas City, MO. “I wanted to help spread the word about a great local charity,” Elder says. With a $40 tax-deductible donation, guests can attend an exclusive private cake decorating demonstration and testing with Elder, and then stay for a meet and greet, silent auction, and raffle prizes. The event will be held in Kansas City on Wednesday, June 9, 2010. For more information, visit
www.newhouseshelter.org.

Emily's Edibles Pastries With a PurposeEmily’s Story
At Emily’s Edibles in Great Neck, NY, owner Jo Ann Greenwald is doing a lot of good. Her sister-in-law, Emily Greenwald, has had a passion for baking since she was seven years old; however, her battle with severe epilepsy prevented her from ever opening her own bakery. A certified adult nurse practitioner and always one to offer help when possible, Jo Ann came up with the idea for Emily’s Edibles. The trademarked Pastries with A Purpose are sold not only to honor Emily, but also to give back to a larger community. A significant percentage of the bakery’s profits are used to fund research grants for the study of epilepsy in women. In its first two months, the research fund surpassed the $1,000 mark. For more information, go towww.emilys-edibles.com.