Middle Schoolers go Big for Children's Hospital at Big Sugar Bake Shop

STUDIO CITY, CA -- If you are looking for a good excuse to nibble on cupcakes and cookies today, two Studio City middle schoolers have come to the rescue.

Kalea Doryon, 13, and Sandra Koretz, 12, are hosting a fundraiser Children’s Hospital Los Angeles at the Big Sugar Bake Shop. The bakery, at 12182 Ventura Blvd, will donate half of its proceeds between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to Children’s Hospital. The event is part of Action Day, where more than three dozen of the hospital’s junior ambassadors fan out across the county holding bake sales, lemonade stands and pizza parties to raise $10,000 to help other children in need.

“At Big Sugar we’ll be selling cupcakes and sweets and treats,” said Kalea, who turned 13 this week and asked for donations to Children’s Hospital instead of presents.

“I guess I just realized that those things aren’t as important as these children’s lives, and they’re sick, and they need money for the hospital more than I need new clothes and things,” said the Immaculate heart middle schooler.

Kalea and Sandra Koretz hope they can raise as much as $3,000 for the cause. The girls made and distributed flyers, conducted email campaigns and spread the world to friends and family.

“I am so proud,” said Kalea’s mother Christine Doryon. “She’s always looking for ways to be of service, and Big Sugar has been amazing as far as helping the girls.”

A teacher at Carpenter Community Charter, Doryon got involved with Children’s Hospital’s Holidays from the Heart Program through one of the parents at the school. Kalea became increasingly involved in the program to the point that the hospital invited her to become a junior ambassador.

"A lot of people just focus a lot on themselves, but there are so many more people out there that need bigger things,” said Kalea.“It’s just really hard to know that this is happening, and once you just see that, you just really want to help.”