Birmingham Bake and Cook goes for the goal

In July, Birmingham Bake and Cook organized a bake sale with the help of local pastry chef Beth Bloomfield to raise money to offset 14-year-old Josh Wallborn’s expenses.

In the next year, Josh will train for the 2013 International Blind Sports Youth World Goalball Team and the 1016 US Men's Paralympic Goalball Team. Goalball is a dodgeball-like sport for the visually impaired.

“We got to know him,” Bake and Cook Owner Susan Green said. “We’ll do anything for our customers. We were so grateful to have an opportunity to support him. So that’s why we did it. And the community was just great. They really came out in droves.”

At birth, Josh was diagnosed with Oculocutaneous Albinism, which involves eye problems resulting from abnormal development from lack of pigment. He began taking classes at Birmingham Bake and Cook three years ago.

The Birmingham Bake & Cook Company will also donate a portion of its Red Bag Day sales to further support Josh’s needs.

All donations will go to the United States Association of Blind Athletes and put into an athlete development account in Josh's name. USABA is a 501(c)(3) organization, and every donation is tax deductible.