Family’s recipe for cure

Mix a dash of bake sale with a pinch of family helping family to get Sunday’s fundraiser at Temple Bat Yahm to help people with multiple sclerosis. Baking is hardly a chore for Corona del Mar resident Linda Siegel. It’s extra fun, she said, when any of her six grandchildren stop by to help.

On a recent weekday morning, all of them crowded into the kitchen to make sugar cookies. But unlike many baking sessions, eating the inventory wasn’t the goal.

The family members were preparing for an upcoming bake sale fundraiser, called Don’t Mess with MS, to be held from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at Temple Bat Yahm in Newport Beach.

Siegel’s sister, Jan Morris, was diagnosed 25 years ago with multiple sclerosis, a neurological disease that affects the central nervous system. She is now in remission, Siegel said.

“I’ve watched her struggle with this and live as if everything is normal,” Siegel said. “It inspired me to work toward finding a cure for multiple sclerosis.”

Money raised through the bake sale will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Siegel said she hopes to raise about $3,500 through the one-day sale of baked goods.

Representatives from the Orange County and San Diego National Multiple Sclerosis Society branches will be on hand at the event to provide more information about the organization.

Siegel said she is excited that her whole family is involved in the event.

Her son, Newport Beach resident Rob Siegel, has worked with his wife, Debbie, on determining how much inventory is needed for the sale.

Rob Siegel said the bake sale is a natural fundraiser for the family, given his mother’s cooking prowess.

“It’s easier to start with something closer to home,” he said. “We’re doing something that everyone in the family can rally around.”

Linda Siegel said she has used this opportunity to explain the disease to her grandchildren.

Alexandra Lee, 11, one of her granddaughters, said she has done some Internet research about multiple sclerosis.

“I want to find a cure so she [Morris] can get better,” Alexandra said.

All the grandchildren have been helping out, and some have gotten their friends involved. Seven -year-old Kelly Siegel and 6-year-old Evan Siegel will spend all day at the temple during the bake sale.

“It just feels good to be doing something to help,” said 9-year-old Jacob Lee, another grandchild.

Linda Siegel said she would like to make the bake sale fundraiser an annual event. The response from her sister keeps her motivated.

“She’s been very inspired by my devotion to her,” Linda Siegel said.

IF YOU GO

* WHAT: Don’t Mess with MS bake sale

* WHEN: Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday

* WHERE: Temple Bat Yahm, 1011 Camelback St., Newport Beach20060125it9hz1ncDON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)The Lee and Siegel families combine efforts and baking skills for an upcoming bake sale to benefit people who have multiple sclerosis.