The Caramel Roll that Makes a Difference

A trip to Grandma’s house always warranted waking up to the sweet smell of caramel rolls and a tall glass of chocolate milk as our favorite Disney Channel shows played in the background. My grandma’s love language was cooking for her family: bread rolls, chicken soup, but most especially, her coveted caramel rolls. The smell of these rolls became the sweet smell of my grandma’s love for her family.

When my grandma passed away two years ago, my younger brother, Aaron–nicknamed “Yum Yum”–learned how to make my grandma’s caramel rolls for her, using her handwritten recipe card and very own kitchen to send her off with his own little piece of Heaven: a Yum Yum Roll. My mom made a Facebook post about Yum Yum’s baking efforts, and a cousin made a comment about how delicious the rolls looked, and that she would love to purchase them. Thus, the idea for Yum Yum Rolls was born: leaving a lasting inspiration from my grandma, and now making a difference in children’s lives across the globe.

“It’s just nice to help people. It feels good. It makes you feel like you’re actually doing something for others. You’re not just sitting there when other people are in trouble or need help” -Aaron

In combination with my grandma’s inspiration, and Yum Yum’s sixth grade literature class where he read “A Long Walk to Water”, Yum Yum decided to sell “Yum Yum Rolls” to raise money for Water for South Sudan, the charity associated with the book. Three years later, Aaron has raised over $15,000 for Yum Yum Rolls, been featured in numerous news stories across the state, internationally shipped Yum Yum Rolls, and flew to New York to meet with Salva, the young man who’s story is told in “A Long Walk to Water”–all before he started high school!

As his older sister, I have been inspired by his dedication. Now when I wake up to the smell of caramel rolls cooking in the morning, I sense my grandmother’s love living on, as YumYum passes on his love to children around the world. Who knew love could smell so sweet!

As the host of Yum Yum Rolls website, Eve and the entire Best Point Team is proud of all that Aaron has accomplished through Yum Yum Rolls!