Kristi Yamaguchi Makes Fundraising Appearance at Stanford Shopping Center

Kristi Yamaguchi, Olympic Gold Medalist, Dancing With the Stars winner and New York Times Best Selling author, greeted a long line of customers at Sprinkles Cupcakes in Palo Alto on Friday.

Many arrived upwards of an hour early for Yamaguchi’s 11:30 a.m. appearance. Mimi Fang drove to the event from Fremont with her two young daughters, Lily and Serena.

“We’re huge fans of Yamaguchi and her work,” said Fang, the second to arrive in line, pointing out her daughters are learning how to rollerblade and look up to her. “We also want to support her charity.”

Yamaguchi represented her Always Dream Foundation, which works towards a wide variety of causes such as early childhood literacy. From June 3 until June 10, Sprinkles Cupcakes will be donating 100 percent of the sales from its popular Red Velvet Cupcakes to the foundation.

“We’re hoping to sell lots of red velvets, so come on out,” Yamaguchi told Palo Alto Patch with a smile.

Sprinkles’ Founder and the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars judge Candace Nelson also greeted customers and fans.