Written by Amanda Coers – Is there any better combination than your favorite storybook princesses and mounds of frosting topping sweet treats? The ARK Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Shelter is hoping to raise funds through a unique bake sale featuring such a winning combination. Their Royal Bake Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to noon inside Heartland Mall in Early on Saturday, June 2nd. Along with plenty of cookies, cakes, and pies to purchase, visitors will have the fun opportunity to meet a few princesses and grab a fun photo op. There is no cost for the pictures, however a donation will be gladly accepted.
Everyone deserves to live happily ever after. But life isn’t always a fairytale. In Coleman, Comanche, and Brown Counties, the ARK works to serve people who’ve had their happily ever after ripped away. Their agency is one of the first police often call when dealing with domestic violence situations and victims in need of immediate assistance. Coverage for the tri-county area is a lofty mission, and certainly needs strong funding if the shelter is to continue their work.
“We’re serving more people now more than we have in the past, which is positive because it means we’re doing our job,” says ARK Executive Director Terri Densman. “Not only are we raising funds, we’re also raising awareness of what all we do: domestic violence and sexual assault victim services, as well as education and preventative measures to keep those tragedies from ever occurring.”
It’s a heavy subject for a fanciful bake sale. Parents may be worried their children might ask what the ARK is and why they’re raising money. But Densman and the ARK employees and volunteers feel those questions are the perfect opportunity to contribute to what they hope will one day be the end of domestic violence.
“The ARK is a positive force. Our mission is to help families live abuse free by learning self respect and healthy behaviors,” Densman said. “Once you understand why the ARK is here, to keep people safe and build their self esteem back up, that’s a great lesson for any child to learn. The social norm is to know that abuse is there but we don’t want to talk about it, but that is exactly what we strive to keep from happening because the more people who talk about it, the more people become aware of ways to prevent those assaults from happening. We can work together as a community to change those social norms, and introducing children to these ideas early on is the best way to do that, so they can grow up into healthy relationships full of mutual respect.”
In a sense, the ARK is working to someday see everyone enjoy their own happily ever after. Thankfully, the ARK is not alone in that mission. The shelter has been embraced by a growing group of volunteers working to raise funds.
Volunteering at the bake sale will be experienced cosplayers (costumer-players for the uninitiated) to portray the beloved princesses and pose for pictures. Names like Anna, Elsa, Ariel, and more are sure to be shouted by adoring children as they recognize their favorite characters manning the bake sale tables.
Brittany Culverhouse will don her “Anna” costume and be ready for plenty of hugs and pictures on Saturday. Culverhouse has been cosplaying since 2014, and her skill of taking on the character’s persona with the costume has continued to sharpen.
“I absolutely love dressing up as Anna,” Culverhouse said. “This one is all about the kids. I love to see their faces light up seeing a character they have watched and love come to life in front of them. I get tackled, hugged, we dance and giggle and I love it all. Anna has a very fun and goofy personality so I love getting to act like a silly fun loving Princess with the kids.”
Photo from Facebook: Culverhouse cosplaying as “Anna” is greeted by a child at a convention
And in between tackles and giggles, Culverhouse is of course hoping to see some money go towards the ARK.
“I’m hoping this bake sale will be more fun.Usually people just stop by for a bake sale pick up what they want and leave,” she said. “With us princesses there, I’m hoping kids will come with their parents. While they’re there, we can play games with the kids, take pictures, dance, play and their parents and shop the bake sale. The parents can join in the princesses fun as well. We’ve had many in the past that have before. We’re all still kids at heart.”
Of course, there wouldn’t be a bake sale without baked goods, and Wendy Nance is just one of the many volunteers bringing treats.
“I’ll be bringing some Mexican Wedding Cookies, they’re one of my favorite treats,” Nance said. She’s also secured some tasty donations from local bakeries and cake decorators. “I’ve always had a heart for service and The ARK is a wonderful organization that provides invaluable services to our community. It feeds my soul to work with people who support our local non-profits.”
Those kind of comments from the volunteers warms Densman’s heart.
“Our wonderful volunteers have the same hopes and thoughts that we do,” the Executive Director said. “That this is an important issue for the communities we serve. Every volunteer has a connection somehow, with either themselves or family members who have experienced violence, and it becomes a personal mission to give back and help us to offer services.”
