Go Bo! Bake Sale-The Amazing Boy with Courage

I’m sure you’ve heard about the 13-year-old boy named Bo who had a dream to pay it forward. He has taught us that no matter what life gives you, you can make a difference by caring and helping each other. Have you heard about the Go Bo! Foundation Bake Sale?

Go Bo! Bake Sale-The Amazing Boy with Courage | The Bearfoot Baker

At the age of 12, Bo was diagnosed with Extramedullary Acute Myeloid Leukemia (EM AML) which is a rare form of leukemia.

I never met Bo or anyone in his family, but I can say he has made a difference in my life. His huge heart was full of so much love that no matter what he was going through he wanted everyone to “pay it forward” and do things for each other.

Bo had a simple message that’s changing the world even after his passing. Bo taught us that ‘YOLO’ which means you only live once so we need to make it matter. They say that kids have a way of telling you what you need to hear and I think that’s a perfect description of Bo.

Go Bo! Bake Sale-The Amazing Boy with Courage | The Bearfoot Baker

Jill Wettstein of Jill FCS lives in Sister Bay, Wisconsin and that is where Bo lived. In 2012 a local pastry chef posted an appeal on Facebook saying she was planning a bake sale for the Go Bo! Foundation and asked if anyone would be willing to donate cookies. Jill asked her if she could donate and the pastry chef was thrilled. Then Jill had the idea to ask her cookie community and you know you all answered. The response was amazing and cookies from all over the United States and around the world were arriving in Bo’s hometown.

When you have that many cookies you need volunteers to help unwrap them and organize them for the sale. And people didn’t disappoint. A small and powerful group of dedicated volunteers showed up for the job. The first year the bake sale raised over $5,000 in cookie sales. The success has made the sale an annual event which keeps the “Bo-mentum” going and the message alive.

Today the Go Bo! Foundation Bake Sale has raised over $110,413 in cookie sales in the last 5 years. That’s incredible! But the fight isn’t over and this is where we need you. 

Go Bo! Bake Sale 2017 | The Bearfoot Baker

Our Cookie Community is strong and so willing to help those who are in need. When I talked to Jill about this sale she said that this is “YOUR SALE” as everyone who sends cookies is the heart behind Bo and his strength, courage, and fight to beat cancer. Will you help?

Here is what we need:

  1. Will you make some cookies and send them to Sister Bay, Wisconsin to the bake sale? If you’re willing to fight and bake a difference, you can find all of the information on donating cookies here on the Cookie Donation Info Page. The deadline for the cookies is Tuesday, October 2, 2017. The Bake sale is Friday, Saturday & Sunday, October 13, 14, & 15, 2017
  2. If you can’t bake cookies for this year’s sale you still make a difference. Can you make a donation to help in the fight? If so, go to the http://www.gobobakesale.com/cookie-donation/ and be sure to check the Go Bo! Foundation Bake Sale goes to cancer research. 
  3. Or you can mail a check to:
    GO BO Foundation
    c/o Door County Community Foundation
    PO Box 802
    Sturgeon Bay, WI  54235

I know it may seem like I’m asking for a lot, but this is not too big of a request for us cookiers! You are strong. You’re powerful. You are the ones who can make a difference like Bo requested. Have you seen his quote:

“Love each other, help each other, have your neighbor’s back.
If you see someone in need, even a stranger, reach out and help.
The world can be a better place if we care and help each other.” 
~Bo Johnson

It’s hard for me to believe a boy could be so wise. He’s so right. If we all stepped forward to lend a helping hand this world would be a much better place. It’s amazing that a thirteen-year-old boy fighting for his life is the one who told the world to help strangers. You know his heart had to be full of love with the kindness he spoke.

 

Bo passed away on September 28, 2012, from a rare form of cancer that couldn’t stop his spirit, courage or kindheartedness. His message is simple. Help each other. Pay it forward.

Go Bo! Foundation Bake Sale

Will you help? We need you. Jill gave me a few more quotes she wanted to share.

“It’s always more than just a cookie.”

“Do your little bit of good where ever you are it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” ~Desmond Tutu

I can only imagine how much work goes into getting the cookies ready for the sale. Unpacking, sorting, boxing and tying ribbons. So Jill and the volunteers ask that the cookies are delivered before October 2, 2017. You can find the address here. There are also a few other things you need to know about labeling the cookies so be sure to go to The Cookie Donation Page. All the information you need is there.

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Bear hugs,

Lisa