The Sweetest Kind of Service

Every school has people who quietly make it a better place—not through titles or recognition, but through heart. At our school, that person is Darla Litterer, a janitor whose generosity has become a cherished part of our community.

It all started small. Darla has always loved to bake—cupcakes, cakes, cookies, anything sweet and homemade. She’d show pictures of her latest creations or bring in samples for staff, each one more impressive than the last. What began as friendly sharing soon grew into something much bigger.

Counselor Chad Angel explains, “At the high school level, we have a Service Club that meets throughout the year during advisory time. One day, I asked Darla if she’d be willing to bake some cupcakes for us to sell as a fundraiser for our service projects. She didn’t hesitate for a second.”

That simple “yes” has turned into years of unwavering support.

Each quarter—without fail—Darla provides trays of beautifully decorated goodies for our students to sell. She refuses to accept any payment. She buys all the supplies with her own money. And on the days of the sale, she even pays for her own treats. Angel states, “More than once, she’s handed me a $10 bill and said, “Make sure to give a treat to kids who can’t afford one.”

Her kindness doesn’t stop with the high school group. Darla keeps track of the money her baked goods have helped raise, and she’s right around $3,000—supporting not only the HS Service Club, but also the Elementary Student Lighthouse Teams. And that’s just the beginning. She bakes for sports teams, clubs, and school groups of every kind. She also creates custom treats for individuals celebrating birthdays, graduations, retirements, and more.

Her reach is wide, but her motivation is simple: she loves helping people.

Darla is amazing at what she does. But even more than that, she is amazing in who she is.

Her willingness to share her time, talent, and resources—quietly, humbly, and wholeheartedly—has made a lasting impact on our school. She reminds us that service doesn’t always look like a grand gesture. Sometimes it looks like a cupcake, baked with love, handed over with a smile, and used to lift others up.

We are so grateful for her. Our school is sweeter because of Darla—literally and figuratively.