Key Club Division 28 Lt. Gov. Lindsay Clark plans to make helping kids with Multiple Sclerosis a piece of cake by holding a cake auction in the Goose Creek Memorial High School cafeteria this Saturday.
Clark recently was diagnosed with the degenerative disease and hopes to raise awareness and funds to aid programs for children combating the illness. All proceeds from the benefit will go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for Pediatric MS programs.
“I was initially diagnosed when I was 16,” Clark said. “It didn’t bother me; I just had to make adjustments.”
There are an estimated 8,000-10,000 children with MS in the United States. Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, although individuals as young as 2 years old and as old as 75 have developed it, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Web site.
Under her current title as lietenant governor, the 17-year-old GCM senior serves as a liaison to nine area Key Clubs between the clubs and their district. The club’s main objective is for members to serve their community. Clark’s duties include selecting a service project in which to participate for clubs under her jurisdiction. Clark said the cake auction seemed to encompass all expectations of the organization and strike a chord with Clark.
“I love to bake,” Clark said. “And helping children has always been a passion of mine.”
Clark hopes to raise funds for her cause at Saturday’s event but believes awareness on the disease is her main goal.
“Once you start the spark, you ignite the fire,” Clark said.
The honor student hopes to blaze a trail toward a better understanding of MS and its effects on children.
The event will feature performances by Nashville singer Martha White, the Stephen F. Austin Elementary School Choir, the Robert E. Lee High School Singing Hands and a presentation about the effects of MS in children.
Children’s cooking classes, face painting and prizes also will be offered for visitors.
“I don’t know what kind of impact the auction will have,” Clark said. “But it’s better to make some impact than none at all.” The event will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday in the GCM cafeteria, 6001 E. Wallisville Road. For information on the event, call 713-294-1621.