Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Elisa Lei. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Elisa Lei has always loved watching someone light up after a bite of something she baked. Almost two years ago, the Chicago-area student decided that feeling shouldn’t stop with friends and family, so she co-founded Charity Treats, a student-run nonprofit that gives back through homemade desserts. Today, with two branches serving Chicagoland, the organization has delivered thousands of cookies to more than 25 organizations, including hospitals, homeless shelters, foster-care organizations, fire departments, and food pantries.
As president, Elisa spends about 20 hours a month planning events, coordinating volunteers, overseeing executive boards, and building community partnerships. She leads baking days for a different organization each time, runs fundraisers at farmers markets, and bake sales, and arranges every delivery. Across two summers, Charity Treats has raised more than $4,000, all reinvested in supplies.
Along the way, Elisa has learned that a strong team can accomplish far more than one person alone, and that her volunteers get better at baking every time. Some customers stop by just for a cookie and leave wanting to support the cause. For Elisa, the proof that a small idea can grow into real community impact comes out of the oven every time her volunteers gather to bake.
Do you want to make a difference in your community like Elisa? Find local volunteer opportunities.