What Being a Sugar Angel Means to Me

The reason why they volunteer is as diverse as the cakes and cookies they make.

What makes someone spend countless hours and up to hundreds of dollars creating a custom cake for a stranger? It’s more than just their passion for baking, though that’s certainly part of it. For our Sugar Angels, it’s all about the chance to put a smile on a child’s face.

Icing Smiles started with founder Tracy Quisenberry’s idea to bring together her long-held commitment to serve families affected by childhood illness with her ability to turn cake batter and icing into smiles and joy. Since then, volunteer bakers from every state have signed up to donate their time, talents, and treasure to the nonprofit. 

We call them our Sugar Angels — generous and kind-hearted individuals who use sugar to create special memories for families dealing with the critical illness of a child. They literally bake a difference. 

Today, we have over 13,062 Sugar Angels. The reason why they volunteer is as diverse as the cakes and cookies they make. Here’s a look at eight bakers and what being Sugar Angel means to them. 

Clockwise, from left: Sugar Angel Alison Patterson’s first call to action is “frozen” in her memory as a joyful day. Sugar Angel Elise Chonko teaches baking and pastry at a high school technical center in Virginia. Cookie Club Sugar Angel CK Mayer loves making people happy with her creations. Sugar Angel Michele Quinn Fulford made a Blues Clues cake for a family last year. Cookie Club Sugar Angel Kristin Smith made these happy cookies for a 15-year-old girl.

Alison Patterson from Royse City, Texas

“I started my baking business three years ago as a side gig. I was working full time at a children’s hospital in pediatric oncology research. I came across Icing Smiles and was so excited to become a Sugar Angel. It was a way for me to bridge my two passions! I’ve been a Sugar Angel for a little over two years now, and I’ve been able to respond to three CTAs. Each one has been truly impactful. I know firsthand how difficult it is for families with medically complex children. A cake seems like such a simple thing, but it brings so much joy to these kids and their families!”

Elise Chonko from Richmond, Virginia

“I teach baking and pastry at a high school technical center. My students and I love partnering with Icing Smiles. We’ve been doing cake and cookies for four years. My students have so much pride in sharing their talent with the community, and I’m so grateful that Icing Smiles gives them that opportunity!”

Michele Quinn Fulford from Atlantic City, New Jersey

“I graduated from culinary school in 2016. I saw something about Icing Smiles online and I became a Sugar Angel. It took five years for my first cake. My area does not have a huge need, thank God — less sick children. I got another call this year for the same little girl. I hope to make her a cake every year for as long as possible. It means so much to be able to take a small burden off the family and put a smile on their faces. I believe all of us who have a passion for baking do it with love and that is what these families need. Any way to bring a bit of joy and help in some way doing what I love is a blessing.”

Dee Powell from New Martinsville, West Virginia

“I am self-taught and live in West Virginia where the economy isn’t doing so well. There are a lot of single moms who struggle to make ends meet, and I enjoy making specialty cakes at very nice, reasonable prices so their children can have a special cake. I have done five cakes now for Icing Smiles and pray that whoever receives the cake is blessed and feel like it is an honor to make a cake for them.”

Kristin Smith from Middletown, Pennsylvania

“I have only been a Sugar Angel since February and have done three CTAs for the Cookie Club. I live near Hershey Med and two hours from Philly (both have children’s hospitals). I started decorating cookies in November 2020 and fell in love with creating something that brings so much joy to people. Icing Smiles lets me create smiles for the most deserving recipients. I joined this group because it’s the least I could do to give these kids a moment of joy.”

CK Mayer from Naperville, Illinois

“I’m a Cookie Club Sugar Angel. I’ve been a SA since 2018. I think the bridge between the Dream Cakes and ‘Hey, we’re thinking about you!’ is amazing. I do it because cookies make people happy. We don’t ever meet these people like a cake person does, but I feel it in my heart.”

Jan Gonzales from Signal Mountain, Tennessee

“My connection is that our niece was born with a defective heart valve and went through multiple operations over the years and passed away right before her 18th birthday. My daughter was born with a hole in her heart, so naturally with our niece’s history (they were four years apart), we were afraid. It ended up healing on its own without further treatment. We are so blessed. Children are such a blessing, and to have a child that becomes ill or is born ill is very tough on families. To be a part of this organization is a true blessing! I am a home baker, so it’s very rewarding to create something.”

Lydia Carter from Cleveland, Ohio

“I have been a Sugar Angel since 2016. I started this journey as a commitment and promise to my beloved best friend who owned and ran her Yellow Brick Road Day Care up until the day she passed on Feb. 25, 2016. She was loved by all her kids and their parents and watched them grow up into adults. I always told her she was a saint, a teacher, a mentor and had the patience that I didn’t think I was blessed with. She was my biggest cheerleader when I started Celene’s Confections in November 2001, and she encouraged me every step of the way. Even during times when I didn’t think I could make things happen, she pushed me to be better and patient.

During my very last conversation with her two days before her passing, I made a promise to her I would not give up on myself or Celene’s. It was during that conversation that I made the choice to find some charitable opportunity involving children that I could bring them and their families happiness just like my best friend. I also had to think how to give back. Instantly, it was like she heard me and Icing Smiles popped into my view. I signed up, and within a few months, I had my first call to action. I was elated, nervous, and scared, but I become energized because I was grieving the loss of my friend.

Every time I receive a CTA, I hope that I am able to accommodate the request. I love to see the children’s faces light up. Their families are so gracious. On one delivery, the family gave me a card and a bouquet of flowers. I couldn’t get back to my car fast enough before the tears streamed down my face. Another time, a family asked if they could take my husband and I out to dinner. Like, wow.

Being a Sugar Angel means, to me, happiness. Growing up, birthdays were a big deal in our family, so it’s inbreed in me to make the biggest deal I can through my gift of cake. This is always a therapeutic exercise for me. It is what brings me joy, particularly during this time we have all encountered in the past few years.”

Become a Sugar Angel

Until there’s a cure, we celebrate lives. All it requires is a love of baking and a passion for our kids. Read our frequently asked questions for bakers to learn about who we serve as well as cake types, sizes, and designs.