07/26/2025
Imagine a world where we all focus on solutions, rather than spew or spread hatred, judgment or condemnation.
If Kamryn can be an entrepreneur and help so extraordinarily at age 11, there really are no limits.
Thank you, Kamryn!
You go, Leader Girl!
👏🏽🙌🏽👏🏽🙌🏽
When 11-year-old Kamryn Balfour learned about the devastating floods that killed 135 people in Central Texas while she was safely at a nearby summer camp, she was determined to help. "I was there at camp like them, too. That could have been me," said Kamryn. "I felt very, very sad that those innocent girls got flooded out." The Mighty Girl from League City, Texas formulated a plan to restart her baking business, Kamryn's Kravings, with a new mission: raising funds specifically to help animals affected by the floods.
What started with a modest goal of $500 has exploded into over $4,600 in donations, with Kamryn baking approximately 40 batches of her "top-secret" family chocolate chip cookie recipe. Her mother, Kelly Balfour, has been amazed by the community's response: "I didn't have any idea it would take off like this, and all of a sudden, we couldn't even keep up." Selling bags of five cookies for $5 each, many customers have generously donated far more, with some giving $50 for just a few bags.
The growing operation caught the attention of local media and business owners, including Gina Gutierrez of Cakes by Gina in Houston, who offered her industrial kitchen when orders became overwhelming. "I said, 'Girl, come on over here, let me help you. Let's multiply the recipe by four or five,'" Gutierrez recalled, helping the young baker host successful pop-up sales at the bakery.
The funds will support organizations like Kerrville Pets Alive and the Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team, which are helping both pets impacted by the floods and the rescue dogs that aided in recovery efforts. These groups continue to rescue and reunite displaced pets -- including a recently discovered cat that miraculously survived inside a flood-damaged oven. "This will really help us with the extra expenses we have related to the flood animals," explained Karen Guerriero, board president of Kerrville Pets Alive, who noted they're still finding displaced pets in the wreckage.
While Kamryn attends gymnastics camp during the day, she still finds time to bake most evenings and plans to distribute the funds once she reaches $5,000. For the young entrepreneur who first discovered her love of baking during a children's business fair in May, this experience has sparked a lifelong commitment to helping others. "This is the first time I've raised money to help someone," Kamryn said, "but it definitely won't be the last."
Kudos to Kamryn on her generosity and initiative!
Houston locals can support Kamryn at her next pop-up sale this Saturday, July 26 at the Cakes by Gina Bakery from 12 to 3 pm and Sunday, July 27 from 3 to 6 pm in League City at The Box Bakery
You can also follow Kamryn or learn more on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kamrynskravings/
To show children how simple acts of kindness can bloom into something much greater, we highly recommend "Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed" for ages 4 to 8 (https://www.amightygirl.com/ordinary-mary) and "Extra Yarn" (https://www.amightygirl.com/extra-yarn), all for ages 3 to 8.
For two inspiring books filled with practical advice on how kids can make change on issues they care about, we recommend "Start Now! You Can Make a Difference!" for ages 7 to 11 (https://www.amightygirl.com/start-now) and "It's Your World! Get Informed, Get Inspired, & Get Going!" for ages 10 and up (https://www.amightygirl.com/it-s-your-world)
For Mighty Girl stories to teach your children about the value of charity, community service, and giving, visit our post on "Making an Impact: Mighty Girl Books About Charity and Community Service” at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=5863
For books starring Mighty Girls who love animals, visit our blog post "Animal Friends: 60 Mighty Girl Stories About Caring For Animals" at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=11577
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To learn more about the animal organizations that Kamryn is supporting, visit Kerrville Pets Alive! (https://kerrvillepetsalive.com) and the Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team (https://vetmed.tamu.edu/vet/giving)
To read more about Kamryn's story on The Washington Post, visit https://wapo.st/40CfCPn
