POWERGRAMS

4 At Christmas, Amy Badillo gives a gift straight from her heart: cheesecake money. For the past several years, Badillo has helped a needy family during the holidays, funded by cheesecakes, baked with love. Her cheesecakes of many flavors – Oreo, red velvet, turtle, Reese's, dark chocolate, original, pumpkin and lime – has earned Badillo the funds for toys, clothes and gifts for underserved families. Over the years, Badillo has donated money to schools in Moody and Calera, and for Angel Tree children. She has previously bought gifts for two sisters at Calera Elementary School, donated to the Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranch in Pell City and supported families at her church. About two years ago, Badillo helped a family who were members of her sister's church. With her cheesecake money, Badillo said, "My sister took them to thrift stores so that we could get like-new clothes and provide for all eight of them. We were able to provide winter clothes for all the children." Her sister also bought the family gifts on Amazon – toys and other things – supplying the family's wish list. Badillo also gave $100 to a family at her church in Columbiana. A true labor of love This season, Badillo expects to spend about 30 hours baking and selling cheesecakes. She also delivers the treats to customers. Her top seller is original cheesecake, but Oreo, Reese's and turtle flavors aren't far behind. Badillo, who has a chemistry degree, uses her creativity to develop various flavors. Last year, she created a pumpkin-flavored cheesecake and made lemon-blueberry cheesecake for the first time. When a customer requested a red velvet cheesecake, she said, "I played around with it and looked at different recipes to come up with it. The different flavors came throughout the years as people told me what they love." Badillo spends about $100 of her own money on ingredients, and all proceeds go to the family she supports each season. Making a difference someone will never forget Badillo's desire to help others is personal. Growing up in a family of nine girls, there wasn't much money for gifts. One Christmas, she recalled, her church bought gifts, clothes, and "all kinds of things" for her family. When they left for a church social one evening, there were only a few presents under their tree. "And when we came back, I was the first one in the house, and there were presents – so many, that they were all the way up to the windowsill," Badillo remembered, her voice rising with excitement. "The gifts were 3 or 4 feet or 5 feet tall under the tree. And I just remember that Christmas, and that people cared." That's why Badillo puts so much effort into helping others during the holidays. Despite managing a busy household with three children – Rubi, 18; Alex, 13; and Joanna, 9 – and a full-time job, she doesn't let being busy or tired deter her mission. "Everyone should have at least one Christmas they won't ever forget," Badillo said, "a time when you felt like you were remembered, and that people cared. And you mattered. "That's really what I want to do for other people, to help somebody else have a merry Christmas and to try to make a difference in at least one person's life." By Donna Cope COMMUNITY SERVICE Badillo bakes cheesecakes to buy holiday gifts for needy families Environmental Affairs Specialist Amy Badillo brings holiday joy by baking custom cheesecakes to buy gifts for needy families. (contributed) Badillo creates special cheesecake flavors often not seen in stores. (contributed)

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