South Shore Sweet 16 has the secret for success in ‘Rosie’s Sweets,’ where profits are donated to animal rescue

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — At just 16, Amanda Murray has already discovered the art of baking and together with the love and support of family members, her latest venture has not only taken shape but has already begun to prosper.

The Tottenville High School “Sweet Sixteen” who’s thrilled to be living her dream, has a helper, too — her sister Brianna, 10, a fifth-grade student at PS 6.

Side by side, the two, who live in Princes Bay with their mom, Diana, dad Kevin and three dogs, Peanut, Amber, and Cannoli, are living their passion for creating handcrafted sweet treats. As a result, they’re inspired to bake dozens of cookies, cakes, breads and other sweet treats in a business venture they call “Rosie’s Sweets.”

And though Amanda is a special needs teen, she’s never lets her disability interfere with baking and her special affection for assisting animals in need. It’s a calling.

Amanda was born with ataxic cerebral palsy, a condition that causes trembling and coordination issues. Though she doesn’t use of a wheelchair, every day tasks can often be a challenge, like writing and movements that require motor skills.

“ROSIE’S SWEETS’

During the holidays the siblings create a menu from “Rosie’s Sweets” — cookies and chocolate covered goods. A portion of the proceeds are donated to For Blake Sake Rescue, an animal rescue on Staten Island.

According to her mom, Diana Perone-Murray, Amanda has already made a huge impact in her community by coordinating bake sales to raise funds for animal rescues.

“Amanda is an animal lover. We live in a house full of animals with three dogs, Peanut, Amber and Cannoli, and three guinea pigs,” explains Mrs. Perone-Murray.

“Kevin and I are extremely proud of the girls, from having a bake sale to now starting a small business name ‘Rosie’s Sweets’ that helps animals in need,” she added. “Be sure to follow Rosie’s Sweet on Facebook at Rosie’s Sweet Treats and on Instagram at rosies.sweet.treats

Ask Amanda what motivates her and she’s quick to say she finds animals to have a calming effect, and they make her feel completely relaxed. Plus, she says it makes her feel good when she offers her help.

And though it’s fairly new business venture, heading her own business is also about tasks she’s learned while managing her own venture. According to her mom, it’s not so much about the sales as it is the skills she’s learning while managing her own operation.

Amanda does especially well at holiday time and makes herself a little money, Perone-Murray said. She’s trying to teach her business management, like how much money you’ll need to continue and the price of ingredients, packaging, etc.

AMANDA’S WORK ETHIC

Amanda works diligently in the kitchen, where she follows recipes and easily whips up pumpkin bread, banana bread, crumb cake, chocolate-covered pretzels, chocolate-chip cookies and other delectable goodies so shelters can help find homes for animals.

And though Perone-Murray and support workers from A Very Special Place, a Staten Island-based organization that helps adults and children with disabilities, sometimes assist, Amanda still sits at the helm of all her projects.

At one bake sale the turnout was so tremendous that on the first day they ran out of baked goods. But it wasn’t a problem, they baked even more.

It’s not unusual to see Amanda handcraft signs and post them in her neighborhood to advertise a fundraiser, while her mom promotes the sales on social media.

SCHOOL AND FAVORITE PASTIMES

Amanda has a 94 average in Tottenville High School and works hard to overcome her challenges.

During her down time she enjoys yoga, coloring and baking. She loves to dance, entertain and listen to music.

“A lot of her success is also due to the work by a team of professionals,” Perone-Murray says. She has a one-on-one para who is very familiar with her. She has a very good team of people. The credit definitely goes to all of us. I can’t take credit for all of it.”