Marion Girls’ Bake Sale Becomes Christmas Magic for Local Families

A small idea that started on a summer afternoon in Marion turned into a big act of kindness this holiday season.

Charlotte Daddona and Lily Pratt, two Marion girls with big hearts, spent part of their summer hosting a bake sale with a simple goal in mind: give back to families who could use a little extra help. Months later, that kindness came full circle when the girls donated the proceeds to the Friends of Jack Foundation, helping bring joy to local children this Christmas.

The girls officially delivered their donation on December 12 during an open house at Southcoast Insurance Group’s new Mattapoisett office, which was also serving as a toy drop location for Friends of Jack.

From Lemonade Stand Energy to a Life Lesson

The bake sale took place back on July 22 at the Daddona family home and was organized by Nick Daddona’s mother-in-law, Mary Knott, alongside neighbor Leslie Pratt. While Nick and his wife were away on vacation, the girls jumped at the chance to sell baked goods and raise money for a cause they believed in.

“They knew they wanted to donate the proceeds,” Daddona said. “But like most summers, life gets busy. School starts, time goes by, and the money was just sitting there.”

That’s when the family had an important conversation, one about gratitude and the reality that not every family is as fortunate during the holidays.

Turning Profit Into Christmas Joy

Charlotte and Lily raised just under $100 at the bake sale, but the impact didn’t stop there. The girls were taken shopping and got to personally choose the toys that would be donated, turning their hard-earned money into priceless gifts.

“To them, a hundred dollars is a lot of money,” Daddona said. “Going out, picking the toys themselves, and seeing where it was going — that was a huge lesson. It showed them how one small act can turn into a chain reaction of kindness.”

Those toys were then donated to Friends of Jack, the SouthCoast-based nonprofit founded by Jill Fearon that supports families struggling during the holidays.

Why Every Dollar Matters This Christmas

This year, Friends of Jack is shopping for more than 1,100 children across the SouthCoast, providing toys and fulfilling gift requests from families who are facing tough times. With numbers that high, every dollar truly counts.

READ MORE: Marion Teen Sets $6,000 Goal to Fight Holiday Hunger

That’s what makes Charlotte and Lily’s contribution so admirable. Their bake sale may have been small, but the heart behind it was huge — and it helped bring Christmas cheer to children they may never meet, but clearly care about.