Irvington HS Student Plans 24-Hour Charity Bake-a-Thon

Irvington High School's Jennie Malina has always loved to bake.

"Since freshmen year, students knew I loved to bake and did so often, so every time there was a school bake sale, I would be asked to bake, regardless of my involvement in the club sponsoring the bake sale," the now-senior reflected.

During her sophomore year, Malina said she decided to "formalize" her passion and talent into a charitable cause.

Out of this idea, "Jenerosity — Baking Our Way to a Sweeter World" was born and has helped Malina and her fellow volunteers raise money for causes including Invisible Children, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Compete for a Cure, Sandy Hook Elementary School and groups closer to home like the Irvington Student Council and the high school's soccer and lacrosse teams.

"I love organizing, planning and creating. This is my art form," she expanded. "Other people paint, draw and work with clay, but I love to create delicious and pleasing goodies that are sure to put a smile on anyone's face. Also, planning these events and watching them come alive is very enjoyable for me."

This Saturday, Jenerosity will be tackling a 24-hour bake-a-thon for a cause near to recent Irvington High School graduate CC Sheflin.

A friend of Malina, Sheflin is now a University of Miami student who will be cycling in the Dolphin Cycling Challenge for cancer research in honor of her mother Barb Burg. Burg, Malina said, was diagnosed with cancer three years ago.

"I immediately knew this was the cause that I wanted to support, so I contacted Ceece and worked out the details," Malina explained in an email to Patch. "I also feel that people will feel good to support this cause because almost everyone has been affected by cancer, whether they have a family member or friend who has actually been diagnosed."

So starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Malina and an estimated 40 more volunteers (students and adults), will help bake for 24 hours.

The around-the-clock feat, Malina said, was a time frame she felt would be "plausible, but also impressive."

On the menu for the weekend are more than 30 types of baked goods, including classic M&M cookies, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, vanilla cupcakes and chocolate chip banana bread; along with more original creations like "slutty" brownies, peanut butter Oreo Rice Krispie treats, Oreo cheesecake brownies, "better than crack" brownies, mile-high peanut butter pie, s'morsels and even dog treats.

Most individual-sized items will sell between $1 and $3 and donations will also be accepted.

To pick-up some goodies in person, head to 420 Riverview Rd. in Irvington anytime during the 24 hours after 2 p.m. Sunday or call in a delivery ($20 minimum) at 914-420-7029.

Also this weekend, Malina said Irvington's PopShop Style will be donating 10 percent of its Saturday-Sunday sales to the bake-a-thon.

"I wanted the event to be something memorable," Malina said.

Note: CC was previously misspelled. It has been corrected.