Kelsey’s cupcakes initiative to bake 1,000 cupcakes this month for suicide awareness
By Katie Harris
The Surveyor
For the past five years Kelly Dunkelberger and her team of volunteers have baked, decorated and delivered hundreds of cupcakes to local businesses to raise suicide awareness in Berthoud, and the effort is only continuing to grow.
“This is a sweet reminder to think about all those out there who really don’t know how to voice their deep-seated emotions that there’s no way out,” said Dunkelberger of the Kelsey’s Cupcakes initiative, she began. “The goal is to raise awareness about suicide, to try to teach people to listen a little harder.”
The Berthoud resident originally started baking cupcakes and delivering them to businesses on Mountain Avenue in honor of the memory of Kelsey Falasco, who took her own life in December 2011. Falasco dated Dunkelberger’s son until he passed away from cancer in October 2011.
After the losses of A.J. Black and Joshua Francis to suicide in subsequent years, Dunkelberger’s cupcake initiative expanded to honor the memories of all three Berthoud High School students.
“The thought of a child, even a young adult, committing suicide breaks my heart, because they have everything to live for,” said Dunkelberger. “It just leaves their family wondering what more they could’ve done.”
For Dunkelberger, the holidays are an especially important time to raise awareness.
“This is just a tough time of year for me personally,” she said. “Especially around holidays, it’s important to listen to the subtle hints. Sometimes people see everyone else happy and they’re just not happy. We deliver the cupcakes as a silent reminder to take care of those you love.”
What started out with a woman on a mission and 200 cupcakes has only grown over the years, and this Dec. 14 Dunkelberger expects to deliver nearly 1000 cupcakes, with the help of about 20 local volunteers.
She’ll also have the help of local business Da Bean, which is donating carriers for the cupcakes, and local non-profit Let’s PLANet Giving, which is raising money to back her effort.
“Before this it was always out of my pocket, which I don’t mind,” said Dunkelberger. “But things get tougher every year, especially with adding more cupcakes each year.”
Anyone interested in making a monetary donation to help fund the initiative can donate online at www.letsplanetgiving.org, and those interested in volunteering to decorate and deliver cupcakes can reach Dunkelberger at 970-290-0596. Dunkelberger’s goal this year is to deliver five cupcakes per business to all commercial locations on Mountain Avenue and Second Street.
While all help is appreciated, Dunkelberger said, what’s needed most is a greater awareness.
“Any donation to any suicide awareness group out there helps” she said. “But the goal is really just to raise awareness to help prevent this senseless death. Especially this time of year, the world can use a little more giving, more openness and more respect.”
- April, 14 2022
After you say goodbye: grieving for a...
“Grief is not a disease. It’s a part of being human, just like love.” -...
- September, 08 2022
Larimer County coroner resigns
Larimer County Coroner Dr. James Wilkerson has resigned, his last official day as the county...
- October, 04 2017
Timeline of events presented in the T...
The Surveyor Tanner Flores, 19, of Berthoud has been convicted of first-degree murder and second-degree...
- June, 13 2014
Forever Spartans
Berthoud High School graduates toss their caps into the air in...
- March, 22 2016
Astronomical discovery
Berthoud astronomy students stumble into celestial discovery By May Soricelli The Surveyor [caption id="attachment_2962" align="alignleft"...
- September, 16 2021
James Long and Ivy Stockwell taught s...
Photo courtesy of Fort Collins Public Library - The Old Berthoud...
POLICEBLOTTER
Community NewsNorthern Water sets C-BT quota at 70% for 2024
Community NewsEmotions run high during Revere Property hearing
Community NewsSnowpack at 119% above normal
Community NewsKarspeck to serve third term as Berthoud mayor
Community NewsOPINION – No bitchin’ allowed
Community NewsRoy Tripi to become principal of BHS on July 1
Community News
COMMUNITY CALENDAR:
Community Calendar – add an eventHomestead Fine Art Gallery First Fridays OPEN HOUSE
03 May 4:00 PM - 7:00 PMHomestead Fine Art Gallery First Fridays OPEN HOUSE
07 Jun 4:00 PM - 7:00 PMHomestead Fine Art Gallery First Fridays OPEN HOUSE
05 Jul 4:00 PM - 7:00 PMHomestead Fine Art Gallery First Fridays OPEN HOUSE
02 Aug 4:00 PM - 7:00 PMHomestead Fine Art Gallery First Fridays OPEN HOUSE
06 Sep 4:00 PM - 7:00 PMHomestead Fine Art Gallery First Fridays OPEN HOUSE
04 Oct 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM