06/12/2026
"Lead with kindness, serve others, and invest in the community around you. I believe small, intentional actions—done consistently—can create meaningful, lasting impact over time." (Alaina Campbell | Owner of Cookies & Cream and Sprout Bake, and one of the founders of the The Illuminators - Downtown LO Volunteers)
When it comes to charting the people who make the Township shine, Alaina Campbell is a NorthStar in so many ways. In fact, shining light (and inspiring others to so) is one of her most recent projects through The Illuminators Volunteer Group.
"Helping launch the Illuminators came from a desire to give back to the community and to spread positivity. In a world where we often see so much negativity, it feels more important than ever to intentionally shine light on the good. When we focus on what's positive and uplifting, it has a way of pushing out the darkness.
The Illuminators are rooted in that purpose: creating a welcoming, vibrant downtown through volunteerism, small acts of kindness, and community pride. Being an Illuminator is about how you show up each day. It can be as simple as welcoming someone new, supporting a local business, attending community events, or offering encouragement to a neighbor or entrepreneur. It's about creating a positive ripple effect where small acts of kindness and connection build a stronger, more vibrant community.
At its heart, it's about building connections, encouraging one another, and helping people feel a true sense of belonging here.
That's what anchored my husband and me here in 1997. We moved from Jackson when he took a job in Troy, and while we explored other nearby communities, the moment we discovered Orion, we knew we'd found our home.
Our journey since then has been shaped by a deep love for community and connection. Professionally for me, that started with my time as Executive Director of the Orion Area Chamber, where I developed a passion for supporting local businesses and bringing people together.
That passion carried into opening Cookies & Cream, which was always intended to be more than just an ice cream shop. It's a place where families gather, kids play, and memories are made. One of the most rewarding parts of owning the business has been mentoring high school students through their first jobs. I love helping them develop confidence, responsibility, customer service skills, and an understanding of what it takes to run a small business. Watching young people grow, learn, and discover their potential is incredibly fulfilling, and I hope those lessons stay with them throughout their lives.
Sprout Bake grew out of the necessity of food allergy needs and my love for baking and teaching others how to create simple, wholesome food at home, especially through sourdough and sprouted ingredients.
I love baking sourdough. In the winter months, I'm grateful to teach classes and share that passion with others. It's incredibly rewarding when someone sends a photo of the bread they made at home—it's a reminder that simple skills can have a lasting impact on health and confidence and help people feel empowered. While most of my classes take place during the colder months, I'm excited to offer a rare summer sourdough class through Orion Township Parks & Recreation on June 18 at 6:30 p.m. for anyone interested in learning the basics of making wholesome, homemade bread [Registration linked in comments.]
My days are filled with moments that reflect what I value most: connection, community, and time with the people I love. At any given time, you'll find me teaching sourdough classes, scooping ice cream or organizing an event at Cookies & Cream, or relaxing on our pontoon boat with my husband, kids, and friends. For me, my perfect day in Orion includes any combination of these things or, as a cherry on top, one of our downtown festivals or events.
When our kids were younger, we loved taking them to the Lions Jubilee to ride the rides. Now, I still look forward to events like the Lake Orion Art & Flower Fair and Dragon on the Lake, walking through vendor booths, supporting small businesses, and connecting with other entrepreneurs. There's just something special about the energy of those days.
Years from now, I hope I've left a legacy of kindness, encouragement, and community support. I'd love to be remembered as someone who helped others take the leap into entrepreneurship and believed in people before they believed in themselves. If I've played even a small role in helping others build something meaningful or feel connected and valued, that would mean everything."
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WXYZ-TV Channel 7 did a feature on the Illuminators here: https://www.wxyz.com/news/positively-detroit/lake-orions-illuminators-are-brightening-their-downtown-one-volunteer-effort-at-a-time
Alaina encourages everyone to be an Illuminator every day and welcomes anyone interested to reach out about joining The Illuminators - Downtown LO Volunteers. She has also partnering with the Township, Downtown Lake Orion, and Orion Area Chamber of Commerce this weekend on the initiative, calling on residents to support local businesses that missed out on Mother's Day by showing extra love through shopping, dining, and community support.
