It's a long story.. cousins and I are making a benefit dance for one of my cousins.. and going to raffle cakes.. of course along with other things...
Here is her story..

YOLANDA IS 34 YRS OLD. SHE IS A MOTHER OF 3 BEAUTIFUL YOUNG CHILDREN. THESE CHILDREN SEE THEIR MOM AS THEIR MOM AND DAD.. SHE IS ALL THEY HAVE. YOLANDA HAS BEEN ON DIALYSIS FOR THE PAST 5 YRS. A FEW MONTHS AGO SHE GOT SOME EXCITING NEWS. THEY FOUND A KIDNEY FOR HER. SHE WAS HAPPY AND READY TO GO AHEAD WITH THE SURGERY. THANKING GOD FOR THAT BLESSING.

AFTER HER SURGERY SHE WAS DOING FAIRLY GOOD. AND ONE DAY OUT OF KNOW WHERE, EVERYTHING THAT COULD GO WRONG WENT WRONG. SHE BECAME VERY, VERY ILL. SHE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF ACOMA . HER LUNGS ARE TRYING TO GIVE UP AND NOW HER NEW KIDNEY IS NOT WORKING. SHE IS IN ICU AND HAS NOT RESPONDED IN 3 WEEKS.

WE ALL REFUSE TO GIVE UP ON HER. WE ALL PRAY EVERY NIGHT THAT SHE MAKES IT THROUGH ANOTHER DAY.

PLEASE PRAY FOR YOLANDA AND HER FAMILY..


THANK YOU FROM HER EXTENDED FAMILY AND GOD BLESS YOU!
with that said, knowing the situation... were going to raffle cakes off at a benefit dance we have put together.. But what would I make to raffle?? I have no idea what people would want????

What a sad sorry. I hope everything turns out well for Yolanda and her family. They are very lucky to have you in their family.

Whenever I donate cakes at auctions, it seems they always ask for pound cakes. They seem to go over very well. Best of luck to you whatever you decide to make! I am sure it will be great!

BTW...wanted to let you know, on a side note, that after experimenting with may different Tres Leches recipes, yours is by far tne best and the only recipe I use!! Been meaning to tell you that!!

When is the benefit?
If it's close to Halloween maybe a few themed cakes.

If not, cupcake cakes tend to go well--parents can take to kid's school for a special treat.

Something simple, I like tiffany blue w/ white polka dots.

Sports themed--maybe a city/state favorite?

If you aren't wanting to decorate I've found The Cake Mix Dr. to be great!!

Of course, somthing that doesn't require refrigeration & doesn't have a shelf life of a day or two (like dump cakes)! And if it can be baked & presented in a disposable container---great!

Have you considered an auction instead of a raffle? When people get into bidding wars the price always goes up . I'm sure people will be willing to spend more at a benefit too! Well, Yolanda is in my prayers--her family too.

Thank you soooooooooo much.... Waiving at Mrs Missey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's me and 2 other cousins.. we were siting at the hospital one day and my cousin Angie was telling me she wanted to do something for Tia Amelia (yolanda's mom).. She has no income and Yolandas kids , they need things.. school, lunches, project things for school.. bills still have to be paid.. So we though, the dance.. then we thought, man it takes money to make money.. NOTE: I have a HUGE FAMILY!!!! My Father has 4 brothers and 6 sisters.. and TONS of Cousins.. so with alot of cousins and freinds we held a car wash at a store.. we made 500!!!! in 4 hours!!! we were so excited.. So we have another car wash this sat. and the following Sat. a garage sale.. So then we thought.. well.. where would be have a dance and how much would they charge us?? Who will play for free for the night (a band) we are so greatful.. We have a Uncle who is in the Tejano band LAZZO.. and we have a cousin who is in Los Boyz of Kumbia.. they both said YES WE WILL PLAY FOR FREE!!! We are sooooooooooo happy!!!!!!!!!!! So then we though, now where???? We went to two different churchs who have halls... guess what??? ALL SAINTS IN FORT WORTH DONATED THIER HALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are so blessed with so many people all around us... Everything is coming together.. the family and the people out there are so wonderful.. I just wished Yolanda could open her eyes and see how much we love her!! My Tia Amelia is in tears with joy... During this horrible time, one of our other aunts one of the 6 sisters passed last wed. So my family has been going through alot!.. We have rosary every day for 9 days after a death.. A way to keep their spirits alive and our up.. I enjoy every rosary.. it helps us pray as a family and come closer to gether.. GOD IS BIG!!!!!!!

SO BENEFIT DANCE NOVEMBER 2ND AT ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC CHURCH HALL 200 N W 20TH ST. FORT WORTH TEXAS..

10.00 PER PERSON AT THE DOOR
8.00 PRE SALE..

IF ANYONE LIVES NEAR THIS AREA AND WANTS MORE INFO.. PLEASE EMAIL ME.. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND KIND WORDS....

I will pray for Yolanda. It is so awful! Three children need their mother.

I agree with dandelion that sports team cakes would be desirable. The logo for the Dallas Cowboys would be good with football season upon us. Popular cartoon characters are appealing ... like Sponge Bob. Another suggestion you could raffle off is a gift certificate for a cake (be specific about the size of cake you are offering). You could make something pretty on your computer and package it up ... say in a basket with party plates, forks, balloons, candles and whatnot.

I would also suggest if you know someone who has a large BBQ pit selling chopped beef sandwiches. We have had luck with that in the past. The local grocer has even been know to supply the meat for us. The last one we did we raised $3000 in an afternoon.

I also will pray for Yolanda and her children. God bless you and your famiy for being there to help with the expenses of her children. She is very lucky to have a family that stands beside her in this time of need.

When we all pray in numbers God will hear us. Let's all remember her in our prayers and if it's God will she will open her eyes soon to see her loving family waiting for her.

Why don't you have a silent auction. Have each cake with a sheet in front of it describing the kind of cake and a starting bid. You would be surprised at what people will bid on items. Especially if one someone really wants, they will stand around and wait til someone else bids and keep going up. We just had a fund raiser at our office with a bake sale and silent auction and we raised lots of money.

Her and her family are in my prayers.

Why not raffle off cake gift certificates instead of actual cake. I did that recently at a silent action and set out a stand of mini cupcakes in a variety of flavors so they could taste my cakes. That way the person who wins it can decide what kind of cake and when they need it.

I just made a simple one and printed it off my computer.

I think angelcakesmom's idea is AWESOME. I know most people would love to know that their next cake is pre-paid. For your sanity, you might put that they need to order x number of weeks ahead so you don't get surprised.

Good luck with everything.