Starting from scratch: Bake sale to help Raymond family who lost nearly everything in storm

PLEASANT DALE, Neb. (KLKN) — After a severe storm ripped the roof off a Raymond home Saturday, a local bakery is organizing a fundraiser for the family.

The Reese family’s  belongings were left in shambles, with very little to be salvaged.

Brook Childress, owner of the Blue Bovine Bakery, first heard of the Reeses’ unfortunate circumstance through Facebook.

She knew she had to do something to help the family, who have a 1-year-old son, get back on their feet.

SEE ALSO: ‘It was terrifying’: Storm rips roof off family home in southeast Nebraska

After asking for permission from Taija Reese, Childress decided to organize a bake sale and posted her plan to sell cookies and cupcakes on Facebook.

No stranger to fundraising for community causes, she had previously raised money to support the family of Jamie Hagen, who authorities say was killed in an act of domestic violence earlier this year.

This time, Childress was compelled to help the Reese family, who attend her church, because it hit close to home.

Childress said she identifies with Tajia Reese, being the mother of a young child herself and also living in a rural community.

“I didn’t always have this fruitful of a life,” she said of her desire to give back despite juggling a busy schedule as a full-time hospice certified nursing assistant.

Childress said she’s prepared to take on as many orders as she can, receiving 30 within hours of making the Facebook post.

Her game plan is to freeze batches of chocolate and vanilla cupcakes and bake loads of cookies the night before pickup.

She has reserved this Saturday and Friday, Aug. 22, as pickup dates, but she also offers delivery.

Childress is hoping to surpass the amount she raised in her last fundraiser. All of the money raised will go to the Reeses.

Details on how to order can be found on the bakery’s Facebook page.

Childress said through it all, she’s serving a higher purpose.

“I want to be able to serve the Lord, and if this is the way that I can do it, I’m more than happy to bake some stuff on the side and give it away,” she said.