01-05-2025
From combat to community: Woman turns bakery into mission to help veterans
A Chicago area marine is bringing new life to the old saying 'Home sweet home.'
Diane Aherns is a woman full of grit, grace and absolute love for her fellow vets. Her latest mission is about exactly that — with a little sugar on top.
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It has been 31 years since the Marine swapped her combat uniform for an apron and started the popular Piece of Cake bakery in East Dundee. Locals knew her not just for her legendary scones and pies but sugar laden, award winning cakes.
But even as lines stretched out the door, Aherns felt something stirring beyond her mixing bowl. It was a call to serve in a new way.
Four years ago, she transformed her bakery delivery van into a way to collect discarded furniture. She knew those used couches, kitchen tables and chairs would mean the world to veterans trying to start again.
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Overflowing with donations, Aherns leased an Eligin warehouse and launched her latest mission, Operation: Sweet Life.
'Between thanksgiving and Christmas, we served 20 veterans with full homes of furniture,' she said. 'That's how fast things are going in and out. … They feel the love and that's what I'm supposed to be doing. That's my full time job here on earth…is to love.'
Her old bakery van now delivering furniture, a hug and her signature sweet treats.
'They get what looks like brand new furniture to live in their home and they're just like blown away,' she said. ''Home sweet home' is our model, so that's what we try to deliver. … People kind of think I'm crazy because it's a day to day operation. But so many times we've been able to help somebody who has absolutely nothing.'
Each load of love is a mission from the heart.
Operation: Sweet Life has been able to help countless veterans and their families over the last few years. Which means, they are always in need of furniture donations . If you'd like to know more about how to donate and support this work log on to their website.
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