Tri-Con Child Care Center’s kids create edible works of art
January 30, 2012 4:56PM
Marla Levitt of Wadsworth, owner of Marla’s Sweet Bites and Pam Feinberg of Buffalo Grove, Tri-Con Executive Director, with children from the center who are proud of their cupcake creations. | Photo courtesy of Audrey Suffrin Public Relations, LLC
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Updated: March 20, 2012 7:18PM
It’s not every day that 5-year old Jose is allowed to play with his food. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Highland Park-based Marla’s Sweet Bites brought their Experiential Cupcake Bar experience to the children at Tri-Con Child Care Center, a non-profit, non-denominational child care service that provides professional, supervised care for children from lower income families.
It was a sweet treat indeed, for Jose and his fellow classmates, as they tapped into their inner-designer by creating their own cupcake masterpieces. In between licking the frosting off their fingers, they thoroughly concentrated on filling and frosting their cupcakes, ultimately, having to decide on how they would decorate them, given such an array of sweet and savory toppings to chose from.
“Tri-Con is so fortunate to have the support of so many community partners who, through programming or financial support, work together to provide for our children,” said Pam Feinberg, executive director of Tri-Con. “Marla’s kindness and generosity in bringing such a fun and exciting event to the Center is an example of this spirit of community collaboration!”
Marla Levitt, owner of the Highland Park gourmet cupcake store is inspired by the free spirited nature of the children at Tri-Con. “They are in families that are constantly struggling, financially and in other ways,” says Levitt. “Without Tri-Con, most of these kids wouldn’t be thriving. They beamed with pure joy and pride on their faces as they created and ate their cupcakes.”
The Experiential Cupcake Bar has been a hit at special occasions around town, whether it’s being booked for an adult or child celebration. “Actually, I get to see people of all ages tapping into their inner-child when they make their own personal cupcakes,” continues Levitt. “And, this is the reason why I’m so lucky to be in this business.”
Marla’s most popular creations such as Red Velvet, Death By Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Banana Split and Bug’s (Bunny) Favorite have been tempting the dessert-lovers who stop in her whimsically decorated retail store since she opened last year. Also available are special V-Day recipes such as hot chocolate cupcakes, chocolate covered strawberry cupcakes and heart-shaped raspberry brownies. Customers should place special flavor Valentine’s Day orders by Sunday, February 12.
To sweeten the pot, Marla’s Sweet Bites is hosting a special “Hearts & Crafts” Valentines celebration and fundraiser benefiting the American Heart Association on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 1-2:30p.m. “Parents can bring their children in to create their own unique works of art on a glass plate, while enjoying a Valentine cupcake, beverage, and interactive story time,” said Levitt. A portion of the $20 participant fee will go to the American Heart Association.
Marla’s Sweet Bites is located at 478 Central Avenue in Highland Park. Winter store hours are Wednesdays – Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. To learn more about Marla’s Sweet Bites, call (847) 432-4440 or see marlassweetbites.com.
Operating out of facilities provided by Trinity Episcopal Church at 425 Laurel Ave., Highland Park, Tri-Con Child Care Center is a non-profit, non-denominational child care service providing professional, supervised care for children ages 3-7 from lower income families on weekdays from 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tri-Con provides economically attainable early care and education for children, regardless of race, national origins, or religious affiliation,in a safe, nurturing and diverse environment that promotes social, emotional and cognitive skills in a developmentally appropriate atmosphere that ensures that every child is ready to succeed in their local school system. One hundred percent of attending children do so under financial aid as provided by state funds, grants, provided donations and sliding scale tuition fees computed on family income and size. For details see triconchildcare.com or call (847) 433-1450.
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