Jessie Hicks’s one Christmas wish was to help the animals, and she did just that.
On Christmas Eve, the eight-year-old Huntingdon native spent the day at Cupkate’s bakery, helping prepare and serve desserts as part of a fundraiser benefiting the Carroll County Humane Society.
Cupkate’s advertised the event as “Jessie Day”.
By the end of the day, Jessie, along with her family, Cupkate’s, and a community of supporters, had raised $3,569.38 for the shelter.
Cupkate’s had sold out of everything in their dessert case.
Of the total amount, J. Hicks Appliances contributed $1921.38, matching the total sales at Cupkate’s on Christmas Eve.
Jessie’s father, Josh Hicks said on social media, “We wanted to uplift a small business in our town with a great day of sales and I believe we did just that to help them end the year strong. They had a great day and worked their butts off.”
Donations came in online all the way from California, and people even drove from Bolivar to shop at Cupkate’s on Christmas Eve. Jessie received more than $1200 in online donations.
She said she was surprised by how many people showed up at the bakery.
“I loved seeing all the people that came, and I loved getting to do what a real baker gets to do,” Jessie said.
She said she loved helping make desserts and serving customers at the counter.
After the fundraiser, Jessie and Josh delivered the donation in person and spent time visiting with animals at the Carroll County Humane Society.
Jessie said her favorite cat during the visit to the shelter was named Bagel Face.
“I love all animals,” Jessie said. “I hope that all the animals get adopted and have loving owners.”
Josh announced that the family will cover the adoption fee for anyone approved to adopt Goose, one of the dogs Jessie met during her visit.
The Humane Society, which operates entirely on donations, said in a statement that the fundraiser was especially meaningful because of Jessie’s age and the level of community involvement.
“We are always touched by donations, but it was so cool to see someone that young orchestrate such a successful endeavor,” they said. “It’s even cooler to see how other local businesses got involved.”
Cupkate’s owner Kate Carter-Matlock said Jessie’s effort was a reminder that impact can begin at any age.
“You don’t have to be older, more experienced, or more successful to make a difference,” Matlock said. “This day was only possible because a little girl had a big idea and a community chose to show up.”
“This was all Jessie’s idea and her only Christmas wish,” Josh said on social media. “Thank you all for showing her love and [for visiting] Cupkate’s on Christmas Eve.”
Jessie said, “Thank you to everyone who showed up to the bakery on Christmas Eve, as well as to Kate and Jesse Turner, who brought the hot chocolate bar.”
To learn more about available pets or to begin the adoption process, contact the Carroll County Humane Society in McKenzie at (731)358-1019 or by email at cchstn@gmail.com.
The shelter is a no-kill, 501(c)(3) organization that depends entirely on donations and community support and works to find loving homes for dogs and cats in its care. Adoption fees help cover vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, and vet care for pets going to their forever homes.
