7 Ways to Help Icing Smiles Become a Household Name

We know there are deserving kids and families who don’t know about us yet. Here are seven ways you can spread the Icing Smiles message and help us become a household name. 

Icing Smiles has served cakes to children in every state, but we know there are deserving kids and families who don’t know about us yet. 

“I am in Rhode Island, and I have noticed not very many people know about Icing Smiles,” says Sugar Angel Brittany Spitznagel. Adds Sugar Angel Leslie O’Donnell: “I’m in Rhode Island as well, and most people have never heard of it until I say something about it.”

This year, we’re focused on building awareness of Icing Smiles among families impacted by the critical illness of a child. We like to call the people who help tell our story our vision carriers.

“It is incredible through word of mouth who this organization can reach,” says Icing Smiles Founder Tracy Quisenberry. 

Here’s a look at seven ways you can spread the Icing Smiles message and help us become a household name.

1. Connect with Nonprofits

There are so many nonprofits that serve kids with chronic illnesses, from national groups like Dream Factory and Hopekids to organizations local to your area. Connect with other nonprofits that serve the same population as Icing Smiles and let them know about what we do.

That’s how Kris Koehler learned about Icing Smiles. Her 14-year-old son was granted a dream trip through the nonprofit, and someone at the organization asked if she’d heard of Icing Smiles. For Ian’s 16th birthday, he received a Harry Potter-themed cake. 

By building relationships with other organizations that share similar goals and values, Icing Smiles can leverage their existing networks to reach more families and children in need and we can work together to amplify one another’s impact.

2. Contact Hospitals and Hospices

Some Sugar Angels have reached out to local hospitals and hospice organizations to let them know about Icing Smiles. 

Sugar Angel Lisa Velesbir recommends contacting your area hospitals’ NICU or specific health centers and asking to speak to whoever is in charge of family outreach. Sugar Angel Tammy Anne says she asked her Icing Smiles rep to send her some postcards that she could pass on to her local hospitals. Sugar Angel Derry Wade also took postcards to her local Ronald McDonald House, pediatrician offices, and the children’s hospital patient services team. 

“Keep in mind that health care organizations have a lot of rules to mitigate risk,” Tracy says. “So this is not always the easiest path to families.

3. Attend Local Events

Sugar Angel Julie Fox spreads awareness of Icing Smiles by setting up tables at local events. She’s recently tabled for us at a HopeKids HopeWalk, a 5K to raise money and support for families who have a child with cancer or other life-threatening medical conditions.

“Not enough people know about Icing Smiles,” Julie says. “This is such a good way to get the word out. I really believe in Icing Smiles — and if I believe in something that somebody does, then I could talk about it forever.”

If you want to represent Icing Smiles at a local event, join our Local Outreach Team. We will ensure you are prepped and ready with the knowledge of what we are, how we work, and why we are needed.

4. Peer-to-peer Fundraise

Fundraising is great — we always need more donations. But one of the most valuable aspects of peer-to-peer fundraising is that they’re also “friendraisers.”

“By sharing about Icing Smiles and the cakes they’re making, more people are learning of our cause and mission, helping us to grow toward our organization’s goal of becoming a household name,” says Development Coordinator Chelsea Boog. 

Some common ways to fundraise for Icing Smiles are through cake and cookie sponsorships and virtual bake sales. There are lots of ways to peer-to-peer fundraise, though. For example, this past holiday season Sugar Angel Linda Cloutier donated to her local Festival of Trees, which is part of a silent auction that raises money for the charity of the donor’s choice. “I, of course, chose Icing Smiles,” she says. By participating, Linda not only raised funds for Icings Smiles but also raised awareness for our organization.

5. Pay It Forward

For all of our bakers out there, a simple way to introduce people to Icing Smiles and get them excited about supporting the cause is by baking a batch of cookies, attaching some information about us, and handing them out at work, church, your kids’ sporting events, and beyond. 

You might try adding the Icing Smiles logo or tagline — Baking a Difference — to the cookies using edible icing or frosting. Or you can print out small cards or flyers that contain information about Icing Smiles, such as a brief description of our mission, along with contact information and our website. You can attach these cards to the cookies using a ribbon or string. This can be a great opportunity to engage with people, answer any questions they may have, and get them excited about supporting us.

6. Share on Social

Of course, one of the easiest and most effective ways to get our name out there is on social media. Just one post, tweet, or Instagram story can dramatically increase awareness of Icing Smiles and our impact. 

You can write a post explaining why you care about Icing Smiles or how we’ve made an impact on your life. You can share about when you volunteer or are just thinking about the nonprofit. 

You can also follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn and sign up to receive our newsletters and blog posts. If one of our Facebook or Instagram posts or blogs catches your eye and makes you feel inspired, take the extra step and share it. The simple act of sharing could allow someone who might be eligible to receive a cake to discover us for the first time. Don’t underestimate the power of the post!

7. Wear Icing Smiles Gear

Another way to help increase awareness in your local area and show your personal support for Icing Smiles is to wear Icing Smiles gear. We have an Icing Smiles bracelet with our logo on the front and “Baking a Difference” on the back. We also offer a Sugar Angel Smile Pack, which includes a purple T-shirt, a logo patch, and a window cling. 

Sugar Angel Tiffany Michelle Stuart recently wore her pin to work and then posted about it on Facebook!

Share the Icing Smiles Story

“We’re never going to turn down a monetary donation,” Tracy says. “But there are so many other things you can do that are just as valuable. We rely on so much more than donations to provide smiles to our medical families.”