About

Cupcakes for Courage is the brainchild of Kathryn and Laura Pekarik, two sisters that share the same passion for baking and wanted to share that passion with the world one cupcake at a time.

Kathryn was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins T-cell Lymphoma in May of 2010. Later that year, a benefit was held in her honor to help defray the costs of her medical care. To contribute, Laura baked 250 cupcakes to host a bake sale at the event. The cupcakes received such rave reviews that friends and family were requesting them by the dozen!

As a result, Cupcakes for Courage was born to provide our community with delectable little cakes while raising money for cancer research and other local non-profits through our efforts. With every purchase, a portion of the proceeds goes to helping finding a cure while also raising awareness of this illness which affects so many like Kathryn. Join us in our efforts to find a cure and support those that have and are battling cancer.

Kathryn & Laura

Cancer Research

Cancer research is an incredibly important cause and requires funding to find a cure. That is why we donate a portion of our proceeds to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and other like minded charities. Our hope is that one day no one, like Kathryn, will have to suffer from the disease ever again.

Ride Janie Ride

While important research is being done to find a cure, there are many people that are living with and fighting cancer that need help. That’s where the “Ride Janie Ride” foundation comes in; a 100% volunteer organization developed to raise money to support individuals and families that are affected by the disease.

Kathryn was gratefully selected as one of the four “Ride Janie Ride” recipients for 2011. We were so touched by this organization and its mission that we wanted to ‘pay good fortunes forward’ and continue to support their amazing cause.

Baking With Care

Every day we hear more and more about how our Earth is in trouble - climate change, pollution, acid rain, natural disasters, endangerment and extinction of precious wildlife, destruction of the rainforests and wildlife’s natural habitats. Sometimes we may feel that the problems are just too great. That there is nothing one single individual can possibly do...but there is!

Small steps can change the future of our world in big ways; while also reversing some of the damage that has been done. Steps such as recycling, re-using disposable products, using recycled paper products or tree-free paper, reducing water usage - all of which add up to living a sustainable lifestyle. Anyone can take responsibility for the environment that we live, breath, and work in each day.

That’s why we use natural ingredients—from unbleached flour and baking cups, no preservatives or stabilizers, or high fructose corn syrup. We also package your orders with eco-friendly goods such as brown kraft boxes and bags, PLA biodegradable plastics, and menus from recycled paper.

When visiting our stores, we encourage you to recycle your paper packaging and opt out from carryout bags whenever possible. We promise to do our part by doing the same for our business operations.

Laura Pekarik

Laura is the day to day owner and operator of the company. On any given day you can find her greeting you at the front desk, baking cupcakes in the kitchen, or making your breakfast Sammie on the cooking line. Over the years Laura has learned to do every task that keeps the business going...even how to change an engine starter on Little Green!

Andrea Welch

Andrea Welch, also known as ‘Mama Cupcake’ has been a huge part of the creation of the idea. She’s the cheerleader, the voice of reason and wisdom, while also since the spring of 2016 been one of our main food truck operators. Her natural ability stems from driving the truck with Laura at the very start in 2011, and I’m sure you’ll love her when you see her at the truck or shop.

Kathryn Chandler

Survivor of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, wife and mother of a beautiful baby girl, although Kathryn is not a part of the day to day business, she’s one of the reasons why we are here today. After battling cancer she went back to her original place of work, where she met her husband and later had a baby of which we all were thankful for her little miracle!