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The Impact of National Smiles Day: Spreading Joy with Icing Smiles
National Smiles Day, celebrated on May 31st, is a day dedicated to spreading joy and happiness. This year Icing Smiles launched a heartwarming initiative called “Random Acts of Smiles.”
National Smiles Day, celebrated on May 31st, is a day dedicated to spreading joy and happiness. This year Icing Smiles launched a heartwarming initiative called “Random Acts of Smiles.” The campaign encouraged volunteers to perform acts of kindness in their communities, bringing smiles to many faces. The task: bag a special treat, add information about Icing Smiles and distribute wherever you want! We were thrilled at the participation and awareness on this special day. Here’s a look at some inspiring stories.
Karsyn’s Sweet Gesture
One of the standout participants in the Random Acts of Smiles campaign was Karsyn, a young girl with a big heart. Karsyn spent the day giving out packs of chocolate chip cookies to workers and others in her community. She shared, “I enjoy putting smiles on anyone’s face. Seeing others smile makes me happy!”
Karsyn’s efforts did more than just brighten people’s days. She also raised awareness about Icing Smiles. “No one knew about Icing Smiles until I completed my Random Acts of Smiles. When asked what it was for, I let everyone know that Icing Smiles is a non-profit organization that makes cakes for critically ill children. Everyone was so happy to learn about it.”
Karsyn’s connection to Icing Smiles is deeply personal. She explained,
“I chose to support Icing Smiles because I learned from my mom that I was supposed to be born critically ill with a disease called Trisomy 13. Doctors told my mom there was a 99% chance I would not survive past a year. I was born a happy, healthy baby with no health issues, and I just celebrated my 8th birthday. I think God kept me alive to advocate and help others with critically ill diseases that aren’t well known.”
Chelsea’s Disney Cruise Surprise
Chelsea and her family were on a Disney Cruise during National Smiles Day. They took part in the cruise’s “Fish Extender” tradition, a gift exchange where guests hang organizers outside their cabin doors. Chelsea’s kids enthusiastically joined the fun, distributing 150 packs of fruit snacks adorned with Icing Smiles stickers.
The next morning, her kids were thrilled to see the empty fish extenders, knowing their sweet treats had brought smiles to many faces. This small act of kindness helped spread the word about Icing Smiles to families enjoying their vacation, highlighting the joy of giving.
Brooke Bakes’ Cupcake Surprise
Brooke Bakes used her front porch and social media to raise awareness about Icing Smiles in Nebraska. She offered her followers a cupcake surprise, inviting them to learn more about the organization’s mission. Brooke’s creative approach not only delighted her local community but also engaged her online followers, amplifying the reach of the campaign.
The Importance of Spreading Smiles
In addition to these inspiring stories, Icing Smiles had volunteers around the country participating in this campaign. Founder Tracy Quisenberry got involved in the fun with her daughter and her best friend handing out over 400 decorated sugar cookies in the DC area. To quote her friend Jennifer, “This was so much fun! Watching everyone SMILE when they got their cookie was so rewarding.”
Tracy emphasizes the importance of this initiative:
“Our mission is about creating joy, why not give a taste of that to the public by handing out cookies or other treats. Once people see the impact of such a small random gesture, our mission starts to become real to them. They start to understand and can imagine the impact we have on kids dealing with illness.”
Development Manager Amanda Grinnell and Public Relations Coordinator Shellie Alton also played crucial roles in this initiative. They spearhead the Local Outreach team, encouraging volunteers to participate in spreading awareness about Icing Smiles across the country.
Amanda and Shellie shared their thoughts on the campaign:
“Our Local Outreach team is the backbone of spreading the message of Icing Smiles and many of our volunteers joined in the fun of the Random Acts of Smiles campaign. We are grateful for the dedication of our Local Outreach team who go above and beyond to bring joy to their communities. Every smile counts, and together, we are baking a difference.”
Join the Movement
National Smiles Day may come once a year, but the spirit of giving and spreading joy is something we can all embrace every day. Whether through small acts of kindness or larger community efforts, we can all contribute to making the world a brighter place.
To learn more about Icing Smiles and how you can get involved, visit our website. Let’s continue to spread sweetness and smiles, one act of kindness at a time.
