Middlesex Township baker rallies neighbors for humane society fundraiser
MIDDLESEX TWP — The rows of sweets lining the table in Mary Ellis’ garage Saturday morning, June 13, diminished rather quickly, but the home baker earned more than she bargained for thanks to the generosity of the people who bought the items.
It took all night for Ellis to prepare the cupcakes, banana bread, cookies, and dozens of dog treats for her bake sale Saturday, but the event was more than a week in the making. Ellis had organized not just a bake sale in her garage, but a community garage sale day, which was planned to raise money for the Butler County Humane Society.
Ellis, of the Middlesex Crossing community, said the donation she would make to the humane society would probably be more than expected, because people overpaid for her sweets throughout the morning.
“We’re thinking at least $300 so far,” Ellis said at around 10 a.m. Saturday. “The neighbors, they have just been giving so much.”
A few other houses in the community had their garages open Saturday, old clothing, shoes, furniture and cookware piled up and ready to go to a new good home. Ellis said some of the selling houses had also agreed to give some money to the humane society from their profits from the day.
But Ellis’ garage was a constant hub of activity. People walked in ready to give more money than the cost that the sweets were labeled with, and even more
“All the dogs in the neighborhood love her,” said Lynn George, one of Ellis’ neighbors.
Paul Karausky, another resident of Middlesex Crossing, said he was happy to support Ellis and the Butler County Humane Society, after the organization provided free spay and neuter services to his two cats a few years ago. He applauded the organization for that offering, and said Ellis’ idea to donate to the organization was admirable.
“It’s awesome for her to pick up on it,” Karausky said.
Ellis and her neighbors noted that there are probably more dog-owning residents in Middlesex Crossing than non-dog owners, which also helped drive traffic and support to her sale Saturday. Ellis said some customers Saturday shared humane society stories with her as they bought a cupcake from her table.
“Folks said they adopted from Butler (County Humane Society) and wanted to donate,” Ellis said.
