Thank you for taking a few minutes out of your day to read this special story. I am PJ Keim, born and raised in NJ. I have created this GoFundMe for my daughter, Danielle Ferris. All monies raised will be used to rebuild her small business.

For those that don’t know Danielle’s story she was born and raised in Cranford, NJ. She had an ideal childhood; up until three weeks after her 15th birthday when her mom passed away after a very short battle with cancer. On top of the obvious devastation and heartache that came with losing her mom at such a pivotal time in her life, Danielle began to struggle with anxiety, panic attacks and depression.

She became a mom and military spouse at 21. Being a military spouse meant Danielle had to learn even more independence than she did after her mom passed. This time allowed for ample opportunities to do one of her favorite things with her two little girls, baking. Baking became a huge bonding experience for the three of them, and in turn helped Danielle create relationships with neighbors when she’d show up at 8pm with a new creation for them to try.

Despite challenges life threw her way, add becoming a single mother to the list, Danielle still was able to find so much joy in living and loved to help others feel better. Especially those struggling with mental illness. Her willingness to be open and honest about what she’s dealt with has encouraged so many others to keep fighting, not feel alone, get help and be more unashamed of what they’re going through.

Danielle is now in Texas with the love of her life and is a mom of two girls and bonus mom of a girl and boy. After jobs that did not suit her family’s needs Danielle was craving a career that offered the freedom and flexibility for her to be a present mom and give her children the things she felt she missed in her own childhood.

She decided to combine her love of baking and connecting with others by starting a mobile dessert truck. She purchased a 1956 Shasta Camper in July of 2023 with plans to renovate and opened A La Mode Confections. This past year her and her fiancé have spent any extra time they have out of their extremely chaotic schedule (4 kids in multiple activities- you know that’s a job itself!) gutting and renovating the original camper to take A La Mode Confections mobile. In the meantime she has been baking at home under the TX Cottage Law.

July 8, 2024 Brazoria County TX was hit by Hurricane Beryl. Not only did they lose animals and sustain damage to their home and farm, but Danielle’s camper was completely totaled. Since it was not yet complete none of it was insured at the time of the damage. Family and friends immediately reached out wanting to help but we are all so far away in the north east. The only real help we can offer is financially. At first Danielle would not allow us to make a GoFundMe- feeling so much guilt for others that have suffered greater loss- but thankfully we have worn her down and she has given us the green light to tell her story and ask for your help.

Baking has become such a huge piece to the puzzle for Danielle- healing herself, finding her passion and best of all, bringing smiles to those around her with her treats. Danielle seizes any opportunity to help others. She donates her desserts mostly to local auctions supporting her community and children’s school district. If you asked her to bake for your event she will show up happily with your favorite sweets.

Whatever amount you can send to her, please know you are helping one of the funniest, most compassionate, honest and deserving woman we know. You are not only helping a small, US owned business, you are helping a woman owned, small, US business. And every single penny will be used to replace the dessert truck and get Danielle back to making sweet confections for her community. Even if all you can manage is to click the forward button and repost this page for us, it’s doing something and we are all so grateful and appreciative.

Thank you! From the bottom of our hearts. We love you all.