Spring teen ministers to senior citizens in The Woodlands, Spring

SPRING, Texas -- For 16-year-old Sydney Culver, one of the best things about baking is seeing other people enjoy the finished product. Now, the Spring-area resident is getting a chance to do that every month through the organization she launched in August 2011, Treats For Treasures

Sydney, a homeschool student who starts college classes at Lone Star College in Fall 2012, delivers baked goods to senior citizens who live in small assisted living facilities in Spring and The Woodlands. When she started the organization a year ago, she delivered to four homes. Since then, she's grown the organization to six homes that serve about 75 residents and staff.

The treats - from red velvet cupcakes to cake balls to triple fudge brownies - are for the residents and the staff members who care for them. Sydney also coordinates with a number of volunteers each month, ranging from individuals to bakery owners, who bake goods that Sydney then packages and delivers to the homes.

"I have always loved baking and serving food," Culver said. "When I was 6, I had a little diner in the house called Sydney's Diner, and over the years, my grandmothers have taught me how to bake cookies, cakes and pies. One of my friends has a mother who lives in a small assisted living facility, and she asked if I would bake something as a treat for her mom. I loved doing it, and she loved getting the treat. The idea for doing this for all of the residents and staff just grew from there."

Sydney said many people are surprised to find that the assisted living homes she delivers to are in homes in subdivisions much like those in Colony Creek or Champion Woods. The homes have been retrofitted inside into private "rooms" for senior citizens, and the staff are on site 24/7 to care for them. Because these homes are small and built in subdivisions, the senior citizens who reside in in them are sometimes overlooked by Scouts, church ministries and other community groups that reach out to large assisted- living communities.

"I view elderly people and the people who serve them as treasures," Culver said. "I have been very blessed to have wonderful grandparents and other older people in my life, and I love being able to bless the lives of the people who I see every month through Treats For Treasures."

Currently, Sydney delivers to Ultimate Care by God's Angels, Ultimate Care by God's Providers, Ultimate Care by God's Servants, King's Palace, Chateau Woodlands and Helen's Care Cottages, all based in Spring or The Woodlands. Culver also is a member of The Northeast Area Chamber of Commerce. Debby Thornton, owner of the Ultimate Care homes, said she has been impressed with Culver's desire to serve.

"I think it's awesome someone her age is thinking about giving back to the community," Thornton said. "What a better world it would be if all kids were like that."

In addition to baking and delivering, Sydney regularly writes thank you and birthday cards for residents and staff members. On months with special holidays or themes, Sydney tries to incorporate something special for the Treasures, also.

"My favorite month so far was February," she said. "My Oma, who is 76 and crochets, made about 80 crocheted hearts in red, pink and white, and I put them on yarn as necklaces. The residents and staff absolutely loved them. One of the staff members still has the heart hanging from her rear-view mirror. I also made big homemade Valentine's cards for every resident with the old-fashioned doilies, so they hung them in their rooms.

"Every month, I try to come up with something special to let them know that I've been thinking about them throughout the month. I want them to know that they're on my mind even if I'm not there every day."

Sydney always is eager for help from volunteers who would like to bake or help with deliveries. Her goal is to find another girl who would like to make deliveries to additional houses, train her and see the ministry grow throughout Houston and possibly even beyond. She also has been very fortunate to receive donations from strangers around the country, which have offset the cost of baking supplies, gas and more.

"Right now, I don't have non-profit status, but that's what I would like to see happen eventually," Culver said. "I believe it's important for people my age to show appreciation and care for senior citizens, and I hope this is an idea that catches on."

Sydney welcomes notes of encouragement, suggestions and contributions. She also appreciates people "liking" her Treats For Treasures Facebook page. Treats for Treasures is dependent on community donations. For more details, you can reach Sydney at the email provided or by mailing her at Treats For Treasures, 16720 Stuebner Airline #175, Spring, TX 77379. You also can make a donation through PayPal at treatsfortreasures@gmail.com.