Dunkin' Supports West Chester Girl Who's Baking To Give Back

WEST CHESTER, PA —Catch the Dunkin' Community Cruiser Tuesday afternoon in West Chester as it makes a special stop to say 'hey' to 9-year-old Ava Melasecaa, who's been baking cupcakes and raising thousands to give back to charities who helped when her dad had cancer.

In 2019, Ava and the Melasecca family lost their father, Jeffery Melasecca, to cancer.

Since then, Ava has made it her mission to give back to the charities that supported her family during her father’s battle with cancer.

On March 23, For Pete’s Sake and Dunkin’ of Greater Philadelphia will team up to honor the West Chester youth with a special outdoor celebration at 900 Pineview Drive in West Chester. The Dunkin' Community Cruiser will be there at 4 p.m. when "sampling" begins.

Ava recently raised $8,000 with her fundraiser “Cupcakes for Cancer,” baking and selling treats to family and friends to help raise donations for local nonprofits, including one very special charity called "For Pete’s Sake."

For Pete’s Sake holds a special place in Ava's and her family’s life. In 2015, For Pete’s Sake provided Ava, her mother Meredith, and Ava’s brother Jeffery, with a respite experience, sending the family to Disneyworld. The hope is to offer lasting memories that will comfort them for the years to come, the charity said.

Recently, Ava raised over $3,000 from her Valentine’s Day bake sale and donated the proceeds to local charities, including For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation.

For Pete’s Sake and the Dunkin’ Community Cruiser will visit Ava and her family outside of their West Chester house to provide a well-deserved afternoon break sampling hot chocolate, Dunkin’ Munchkins® Donut Hole Treats, and coffee to Ava’s family, friends, and neighbors — with social distancing measures, personal protective equipment, and safety precautions in place.

For Pete's Sake is also honoring Ava in a Virtual Experience on March 25, hosted by Julie Chen Moonves and featuring Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and other performers. Learn more here.

For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation enables cancer patients and their loved ones to strengthen, deepen and unify their relationships by creating unforgettable and lasting respite experiences. For more than 20 years, For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation (FPS) has provided respite vacations to adult cancer patients and their loved ones in safe and secure environments.

For Pete’s Sake was established by Marci Bossow Schankweiler in 1999 in memory of her husband, Peter R. Bossow, Jr., whose heroic 15-month battle with cancer ended on Sept. 1, 1999. Since its inception, FPS has served more than 9,000 patients and their families by providing travel and staycation respites, and emotional support during the cancer journey.

For more information about FPS visit www.takeabreakfromcancer.org. For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation, a US-based 501(c)(3) organization, is funded entirely by charitable donations.

Founded in 1950, Dunkin' is America's favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin' is part of the Inspire Brands family of restaurants. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.

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