Free cupcakes honor Casey’s “round up” effort

Where could you get a free cupcake today?

The Casey’s General Store in Baxter Springs passed out colorful cupcakes to all comers for several hours Friday.

In March, customers were asked if they wanted to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN).

Michaela Bennett, CMN Program Manager at Freeman Healthy System, says Casey’s at 2403 Military Ave. in Baxter was a top fundraising location. The Baxter Casey’s was the top fundraising store in the area and third in the nation, raising $6,976,48.

“They collected nearly seven thousand dollars this year and they’ve done almost 25 thousand dollars in five years alone,” Bennett said.

“I think a lot of that comes from the fact that at CMN we help local kids and these local communities like to help local kids,” she adds.

“We are able to help raise money for direct family assistance to help children with medical equipment and travel expenses to seek specialty care,”Bennett stated. “We help all pediatric departments within Freeman itself.

Bennett told Newstalk KZRG the total campaign brought in over 81 thousand dollars.

CMN hospital provide assistance to children from birth to 21 years in a 14-dounty area in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma.