Making Capes in Danville for Kids in Moore, OK

It's now been five years since Barbara Casados of Danville started Kiss the Toad Creations, the non-profit that makes superhero capes to raise the spirits of kids battling cancer.

Kiss the Toad Creations has since made over 1,000 capes for youngsters across the country. But Casados and her cape-sewing friends are currently stitching as fast as they can to meet what might be their biggest challenge yet — making 250 capes for the children impacted by the devastating tornado in Moore, OK last month.

The organization has mostly focused on making capes for children battling a life-threatening illness, but after seeing the devastation in Oklahoma, Casados and Gretchen Hunt, who helps the non-profit, decided the children affected were in need of some inspiration.

"(Barbara and I) talked at length about what our mission is and we thought this was absolutely something we should do," Hunt said. "Many of these kids have lost everything, so we want to do what we can to help."

At first, the goal was to make 100 capes, but after talking with an elementary school principal in Moore, it was clear there were more than 100 kids in need. So the goal increased and the San Ramon Valley community has rallied to donate money for the project and to create the capes.

(Note: If you would like to sponsor a cape for a child in Oklahoma, you can do so by going to the Kiss the Toad Creations website here.)

About 60 people have participated in the cape making process, which included a huge sewing session at the Danville Women's Club on May 25.

One of the cape-making seamstresses is Sherry Cook, 63, of Danville who has sewed about 25 capes in the last couple weeks. About six months ago, Cook saw Casados on television and instantly knew she wanted to join Kiss the Toad Creations.

"There was just something in Barbara's eye when I first saw her that told me she was for real," Cook said. "Its been so great to have a chance to sew and to really make a difference. Its made my life more full."

Casados and Hunt are headed to Oklahoma Friday and will deliver the capes to the children Saturday.

"Barbara and I both have three kids and we can only imagine what it must be like for those families as they try and rebuild," Hunt said. "We think the capes can give be a symbol of strength, inspiration and hope for the kids."