Nothing brings people together like creamy frosting, moist batter, and colorful sprinkles.

All of these ingredients can be found at Cupcakes for a Cause, a club that bakes tasty treats while giving back to the community by donating cupcakes or selling cupcakes to raise money for charities.

The club, formed by seniors Tessa De Vilbiss and Emily Jones, was a result of their love of baking and desire to make a difference.

“The cupcakes look delicious,” said club adviser and history teacher John Chilcott. “They’re handmade and simple, but they’re effective.”

Co-presidents De Vilbiss and Jones are helped by the club’s junior vice president, Sara Bilich, senior treasurer Emma von der Lieth, and senior secretary Sarah Augustinsky.

Since its formation in August 2011, the club has hosted fund raisers for Hurricane Sandy relief, helped kids in developing countries receive education, and donated to World Vision’s “End Malaria” campaign.

Earlier this month, the club prepared over 700 cupcakes to donate to Cal’s sister school, Wilson Elementary in Richmond.

Augustinsky remembers the reactions and impact the cupcakes made last year when the club began this tradition.

“They were really thankful and happy to get that stuff because it’s not an everyday thing,” said Augustinsky.

Despite only being in its second year, the club includes 90 students from all grades.

“You meet a lot of new friends, and you bond when you bake,” said sophomore Kimberly Pagano, a member of the club since last year.

Pagano enjoyed decorating the cupcakes with turkeys for Thanksgiving to donate to Loaves and Fishes Family Kitchen, a non-profit soup kitchen in San Jose.

Bilich also enjoys the social part of the club.

“The most enjoyable part is making cupcakes together as a club, because everyone’s together, and the cupcakes go to something bigger than ourselves,” said Bilich.

While baking the cupcakes is fun, many in the club also enjoy decorating.

“Sometimes the cupcakes are more basic with sprinkles, but some people go fancier with piping,” said senior Emily Mazza.

The cupcakes usually have holiday-inspired themes such as fondant leaves, candy canes, bows, and pearl-like sprinkles

“I like seeing when people are really creative in decorating,” said De Vilbiss.

Despite what it may seem, the club isn’t only for girls.  Guys who attend the club can also find fun jobs to do.

Senior Kyle Costamagna is the club’s official taste tester, while senior Kayvaan Ghovanloo refers to himself as “head honcho.”

Cupcakes for a Cause hopes to continue to gain even more members in years to come.

“Right now, we’re trying to continue to sell cupcakes, find new charities, and grow as a club,” said De Vilbiss.

To promote fund raisers, the club snaps photos of their cupcakes to tweet, Instagram or post to Facebook.

“Using social media has definitely boosted the club’s success, and helped our donations,” said Augustinsky.

The club has donated to well-known organizations such as World Vision, and is open to members’ suggestions.

“I hope that we can raise not only more money, but also awareness of issues going on in the country and even internationally,” said Bilich.

To learn more about Cupcakes for a Cause or to join the club, follow it on Twitter @chscupcakes or contact one of its officers via School Loop. Meetings are held once or twice a month in room 103.