This Illinois Teen Is Making Birthdays Special for Families in Need

As a mom of two almost-tween daughters, I often find myself looking for the good in this world, and this week I found it, thanks to an Illinois teen who’s turning flour and frosting into pure joy for the less fortunate.

The Importance of Being Kind

Raising children is not for the faint of heart, but in this social media age full of cyber bullies and unending bad news, it feels even harder.

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How do I make my daughters understand that so much of the stuff they see online isn't real, and that their worth isn't based on the latest phone or influencer trend? How do I teach them the importance of kindness in today's society in a way they will understand?

It's a tough job for any parent, and today I'm thankful for stories like this that help prove small acts of kindness can go a long way.

IL Teen Donates Cakes to Food Pantry

Abby Mack of Grayslake, Illinois isn't your average 13-year-old girl. She is a student, a dancer, a baker, a small business owner, and a determined volunteer.

I often see posts like this from Abby Cakes float across my social media feed,

But I never knew how extraordinary this young woman is until today.

An article from the Daily Herald says Abby Mack discovered her passion for baking around the age of 8, and now five years later, she is donating birthday cake kits to a local food pantry every month.

Abby told the Daily Herald, "I love birthdays. I love celebrating different things. Everyone deserves a cake for their birthday," and she is right.

Avon Township Supervisor Michele Bauman recalled a client story to the Daily Herald that totally hit me in the feels:

A client recently came into the pantry on her birthday. Noticing the kits, the woman became emotional knowing that someone cared enough to make a stranger feel special on her birthday.

I think we all need to remember that simple gestures can have a huge impact on someone's life. Thank you, Abby, for being a shining example of kindness to tell my children about today.