Portland baker selling cupcakes to support family of East Hampton teen
A Portland baker is helping support the family of a 15-year-old East Hampton teenager who died after a medical emergency while paddleboarding in Connecticut.
Cassandra “Cassie” Munson died Sunday after she fell into Crystal Pond in Eastford following a medical emergency while paddleboarding. As her family mourns, community members have raised money to help cover funeral and related expenses, with a crowdfunding effort bringing in nearly $60,000.
Brittany Davis, owner of Britt’s Baking Company LLC, said she was heartbroken when she learned Munson had died.
“It was very emotional, to be honest. It was heartbreaking to hear,” she said.
Davis never met Munson personally but said she has been close friends with Munson’s aunt for years.
“I care about her a lot, and we’ve been friends for so long, and she’s been a great support system for me too,” she said.
Davis said she understands the pain of losing a loved one after her mother recently died, and she said Munson’s aunt was there to support her through that loss.
After seeing community members donate to the family’s fundraiser, Davis decided she wanted to help as well.
“I wanted to donate to that, and I definitely wanted to pass it along and share it. I know everyone’s sharing it,” she said.
As a licensed cottage baker, Davis decided to make batches of cupcakes in Munson’s memory, with all proceeds going to the family to help pay for funeral and other related expenses.
“If it’s something I can do, people can get a sweet treat, and then we can help the family. That’s all I would love to do,” she said.
Davis announced the fundraiser on her baking company’s Facebook page and said the response was immediate.
“Within two minutes I had probably like ten messages from people, like one pack was already claimed within like five minutes,” she said.
Munson’s family said they are grateful for the outpouring of support from the community. They plan to hold a vigil Tuesday night.
One of Munson’s aunts said the support has helped the family through an incredibly difficult time.
“This support has been absolutely uplifting and has been a guiding light in a period of darkness. I know Cassie will see the love and the light as we gather together to remember her and grieve her passing, together,” Lisa Richards said.
Richards also called Munson “mature” and “having a big heart”.
For Davis, helping the family was an easy decision.
“We are very much a family. We very much support each other, help each other out,” she said.
A vigil for Munson will be happening at Sears Park in East Hampton Friday night at 7 p.m.
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