Merrill girl holds cupcake fundraiser in memory of little brother

Julia Skaar had a little brother she loves and continues to miss dearly. In her own words, “Three years ago, my family was in a fatal car crash. We were hit by a drunk driver. Everyone was devastated. In that crash, my best friend went to heaven.”
On Sept. 17, 2022, Julia’s little brother, 8-year-old Ian Skaar, died in that crash, Julia’s mother sustained serious injuries from which she later recovered, and Julia and her father sustained minor injuries. In an instant, the family’s entire world changed, but their faith and their family has continued to draw strength as they cling closer to one another. Faith and family holds them up.
“As a family, we lost a part of our hearts in 2022,” said Leah Skaar. “As a family, we continue to love, support each other, and walk with each other through this season of pain.”
Three years ago, in 2023 just months after losing her brother, Julia decided to hold a cupcake fundraiser to raise money for charity, in memory of her little brother, Ian. She called it “Julia’s Little Cups Fundraiser... In Loving Memory of Ian Thomas Skaar” and started taking orders for and baking cupcakes.
“It was on Julia’s heart to create ‘Julia’s Little Cups Fundraiser ... In Loving Memory of Ian,’” Leah said.

“I want to spread the word of Jesus and how some choices have a bigger and deeper impact than other choices,” Julia said.
In her first year of the fundraiser, Julia baked more than 900 cupcakes, raising $4,641. She divided the funds equally among some of her favorite charities: Aspirus Merrill Hospital, Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Marshfield Children’s Hospital, Town of Russell Fire Department, Town of Russell First Responders, Merrill Fire Department, and Luther Memorial Church.
The next year, she did it again. That was in 2024, and Julia made 750 cupcakes to meet the demand, raising $3,450. She divided the funds equally, making donations to: Luther Memorial Church, Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Aspirus Merrill Hospital, Marshfield Children’s Hospital, Merrill Fire Department, Aspirus Medivac, Merrill Wrestling, St. John Lutheran Church & School, Town of Russell First Responders, and Town of Russell Fire Department.

A new goal to sell 1,000 cupcakes

This year, as 12-year-old Julia begins her Third Annual Julia’s Little Cups Fundraiser in loving memory of her brother, she has raised the bar even further and is prepared to bake even more cupcakes. “She writes out her fundraiser business plan each year,” Leah said. “I know she’d like to crush the last two years’ orders and do more.”

When asked specifically, Julia said her goal is to sell 1,000 cupcakes.
“She is selling Vanilla, Chocolate or Strawberry Love cupcakes, 4 cupcakes for $15,” a Facebook post said. “Buy some for yourself and for your Valentine!”
Meeting this goal would raise $3,750 in cupcake sales, and Julia often gets additional donations from people who don’t necessarily need cupcakes but just want to support her cause. This year Julia plans to donate the funds she raises to the D.A.R.E. Program in Lincoln County, Merrill Wrestling, and the Gleason First Responders.
In her own words, Julia wrote in her business plan: “I chose the D.A.R.E. Program because I find a (sic) importance in teaching others about drugs. Also on how drugs effect (sic) life. I also chose Merrill Wrestling because Ian’s life is all about wrestling and I never want to see wrestling stop. And I am also going to give to the Gleason First Responders because they helped me and my family in knowing what to do.”

Supporting Julia’s Little Cups Fundraiser ... In Memory of Ian Thomas Skaar

Cupcakes must be ordered in advance, and orders are being accepted now through Feb. 13, 2025. Call or text Julia’s mom, Leah Skaar, at 715.551.9096 to place an order and specify your choice of flavors. Checks should be made payable to Leah Skaar.
Cupcake pickup will be on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at St. John Lutheran School, 1104 E. Third St. in Merrill.
For those who wish to donate but do not want to purchase cupcakes, donations can be sent via Venmo to: @tom-skaar-2 or by mail to: Leah Skaar, N5177 St. Rd. 17, Gleason WI 54435.
“Thank you for reading and for taking part in healing Julia’s broken heart. Much love, Tom, Leah & Julia” the fundraiser post on Facebook ended.