MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — As the recovery efforts continue for victims of Hurricane Ian, one teenager in Manatee County is helping by serving up something sweet.

What You Need To Know

  • 17-year-old Juliana Donnelly is baking cookies for people in Fort Myers who lost almost everything from Hurricane Ian

  • She opened her bakery called The Pastry Corner during the COVID-19 pandemic when she was in high school

  • Those who want to donate supplies can do so at Educational Harbor Christian School, or click here to send monetary donations

For 17-year-old Juliana Donnelly, baking is like second nature to her, but now she’s using her talents to help those in need. Baking is more than just following a recipe for Donnelly.

“My favorite thing is when customers let me go like, ‘Oh you have the creative freedom’ — that’s my favorite thing,” she said.

She opened her bakery called The Pastry Corner during the COVID-19 pandemic when she was in high school. What first started as a hobby soon took off to be her full-time job of owning a business.

Now, she is baking cookies for people in Fort Myers who lost almost everything from Hurricane Ian.

“There are a lot of people and it will just make them happier and just help raise spirits for them,” she said.

However, for Donnelly, that’s simply not enough. So she and her mother, Tina, decided to take it a step further by collecting donations.

“You know, anybody who has got pillows, blankets, things to sleep on, tents, if you have air mattresses, anything like that, we are going to Fort Myers,” said Tina.

Donnelly’s former high school turned into a center for anyone to drop off supplies.

“I’m pretty sure we are getting some soap from people, some toothbrushes, some toothpaste,” said Donnelly.

Donnelly and her mother make the trip to Educational Harbor Christian School three times a week. They pick up what people drop off, like deodorant, shampoo, conditioner and other basics.

This is all in an effort so that Donnelly and her mother can pick up the donations before their upcoming trips to Fort Myers.

But her work never ends. She spends hours in the kitchen baking something sweet to put a smile on someone’s face, of course under the helpful watch of her dog, Polar Bear.

Donnelly and her family are planning to add new locations where people can drop off items, but for now, those who want to donate supplies can do so at Educational Harbor Christian School, or click here to send monetary donations.