Why We Love Icing Smiles

Our sponsors and board members get a little personal and share why they support Icing Smiles. 

Since launching, we’ve delivered over 26,000 cakes and shipped more than 4,000 cookies — and we couldn’t have done it without the support of our sponsors and the guidance of our board.

Their efforts and generous donations make smiles possible. We wanted to share with you why these companies choose Icing Smiles as their charity partner and why these industry execs volunteer their time and talent.

These Children Have Been Through So Much

Lisa Sangurima, domestic customer service specialist and social media manager for Hanan Products Co., says the company is always looking for ways to give back and knew that the Hanan family would love the Icing Smiles’ mission.

“When I saw the ad for Icing Smiles, it resonated with me personally because I had just heard news a few weeks earlier of a young extended family member of mine being diagnosed with acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM),” Lisa says. “Hanan is in the business of whipped toppings and icings and is a small family-owned and -operated company that enjoys giving back. That is why I didn’t hesitate to bring up the sponsorship idea, and it was no surprise that the Hanan family jumped at the idea of being a sponsor. I love that Icing Smiles focuses on bringing a smile to a child’s face, knowing that these particular children have been through so much and could use and deserve all the happiness.” 

Read this blog to learn more about how Hanan helps us Bake a Difference!

It Means the World to the Kids

Chef Charity George is the behind-the-scenes talent on Netflix’s Nailed It. She’s also Icing Smiles’ board president. She’s even responded to calls to action as a Sugar Angel. Here’s why Charity volunteers for our nonprofit when she’s not creating wedding cakes at her studio in San Diego. 

“As a medical mom, pastry chef, and cake artist, Icing Smiles’ mission spoke to me so loudly that I didn’t even let Tracy Quisenberry get her full pitch done before I cut her off and said: ‘I’m in! Sign me up!’ And she sure did!” Charity recalls. “I’m grateful to her and all our many Sugar Angels for all the work they do to make these kids’ lives a little bit better with smiles and memories through cake and other treats. It doesn’t seem like much, but it means the world to the kids who are dealing with medical situations. I know it all too well. Two of my three children have medical issues. As a single mom and business owner — and having kids who require more care than a healthy kid does — I appreciate the stress-free and generous mission we have at Icing Smiles. Our Sugar Angels give their hearts and souls with these cakes. I know each one of them thinks, as I do, that the cakes they’ve made for an Icing Smiles kiddo have been their favorite deliveries.”

Not Celebrating Is Not an Option

Fat Daddio’s makes bakeware for every celebration, so it made perfect sense to vice president Greg Skipper to support the work of Icing Smiles — because until there’s a cure, we celebrate the lives!

“When you’re a part of the cake community, you participate in a few celebrations,” Greg says. “You find the true celebrations of life occur when those throwing the party care so deeply that not celebrating is not an option. The care and love within the team and Sugar Angels of Icing Smiles create those magical moments that bring hope and smiles to so many.”

It’s Meaningful for Everybody Involved

Stephanie Chow is our board treasurer and the corporate customer success manager at Good Tidings Foundation, another organization dedicated to supporting children. Here’s why she says she serves on the board.

“I love Icing Smiles because a cake from our incredibly talented and loving Sugar Angels brightens any occasion the children and their families are celebrating,” Stephanie says. “Through their works of art, Icing Smiles helps bring smiles, positivity, and joy to amazing children across the nation. The Icing Smiles mission resonates with me because volunteers really have a direct impact on recipients. It’s very meaningful for everybody involved and wonderful to be able to show our recipients how much they are loved and supported! The most impactful experience I’ve had is hearing about how recipient families volunteer and support Icing Smiles. That is always so wonderful to see them be doubly connected to the Icing Smiles family because it means the organization is touching recipients in a way that they want to continue to be involved in bringing smiles to others.”

The Truest Form of What Celebration Means

DecoPac is one of our newest partners and is sponsoring our Pin Program, in which every Sugar Angel gets a pin for every cake or dozen cookies that they bake. Melinda Rasmussen, DecoPac’s marketing communications manager, shares why the leading supplier of cake decorations is an Icing Smiles supporter. 

“Celebrations are what makes life memorable,” Melinda says. “At DecoPac, we strive to make every celebration one to remember, and Icing Smiles providing that memory for a child or sibling is the truest form of what celebration means. The tagline “Together we bake a difference” stands out to me personally in so many ways. DecoPac doesn’t bake cakes, but we provide the tools and resources for the amazing decorators and artists who do. When we work together, we can accomplish great things. I was able to attend the American Cake Awards 2020 show that took place during SoFlo at the end of April. Sitting in a banquet room with cake artisans was humbling. When Icing Smiles received a check from a dedicated Sugar Angel, it reminded me how important this organization is to not only the families who receive but also the volunteers. It reminds me there is good in this world, and one small gesture of a donation can turn into a life-changing moment for a family.”

Such an Inspiring Group of People

Paul McVeigh has many connections to Icing Smiles: Not only is he the board secretary, but he is also sponsor Satin Ice’s marketing director. Here’s what he has to say about why Satin Ice and Icing Smiles go so well together.

“The leadership, the volunteers, the artists — such an inspiring group of people doing all they can to make a difference in the life of a child in such a difficult place,” Paul says. “The passion and dedication this group of people have is unbelievable. I have so much admiration for the work they do and the love they have for the children. Professionally, the company I work for is a sponsor and active promoter of Icing Smiles, and I am honored our customers see Satin Fine Foods as a visible partner. In mundane company powerpoint presentations, the Icing Smiles slide is always the one that resonates and provokes positive curiosity. Icing Smiles is a pillar of our company, and we couldn’t be prouder to be associated. On a personal note, I have three young kids of my own. I can’t begin to imagine the pain these families must be going through.

“Tracy Quisenberry recently visited our manufacturing plant,” Paul continues. “We shut down our production lines and gathered our entire staff in the lunch room for an hour or so. Tracy spoke to our team passionately about Icing Smiles, and it was unbelievably powerful. The impact she had on our team and our company is immeasurable. That was a few years ago, and members of our team still talk about that day and the impact it had on them.”

Did you know that Satin Ice donates 5% of all purchases made through its online shop to Icing Smiles?

You Are Part of Something Bigger

We are so lucky to have cake innovator Elisa Strauss on our board! You might know her from her New York City-based bakery Confetti Cakes, from one of her many appearances on three Food Network Challenge series, or from her cookbooks. Here’s why she makes time in her busy schedule for Icing Smiles.

One of the many things I love about Icing Smiles is the process of learning about a child and their family,” Elisa says. “You think it is all about a cake, and next thing you know, you are a part of the experience and life of a family. You are there to celebrate the milestone, and you learn about the child’s passions and interests — what they love to do when they are not receiving treatment and when they are not ‘stuck’ in a medical center. What starts with a cake ends with a special relationship with an entire family and the medical staff, and you know you are part of something bigger than just a delicious dessert. You are the bridge to happiness and creating a special event for everyone touched by the cake, especially the child receiving it!”

Icing Smiles Centers Us

Icing Images Founder Deborah Coughlin says her edible printing and cutting equipment and supplies company supports Icing Smiles because the nonprofit reminds us all of the power sugar has.

“It amazes me how a little bit of sugar can bring smiles, hope, laughter, and peace, even if it is just for a short period of time,” she says. “In the hustle and bustle of life, we forget. We move so fast that the blue sky, the birds chirping, a children’ smile — they loose meaning. Icing Smiles centers us and allows us to care for one another and count all our blessings while we bless others. While I know that we are strongly impacting children and their families who are struggling, what I love is to watch the impact that these children and families have. I think it brings everyone around full circle into realizing the impact of a ‘spoonful of sugar’ can do!”

We Are Doing Something That Matters

When Anne Heap first heard about Icing Smiles over a decade ago, she immediately knew she wanted to be involved with the organization. The owner of Pink Cake Box, a custom cake studio that specializes in creating cakes, cupcakes, and cookie favors, Anne loved the fact that cake artists could use their craft to bring so much happiness and joy to families that had been impacted by a child with a critical illness. 

“There is often nothing medically that can be done,” says Anne, who has been a Sugar Angel and is now one of our board directors. “This is when Icing Smiles comes in and is able to incorporate some normalcy and joyful memories into the lives of these children and their families. The mission means a lot to me as a cake artist, as a mother, and as a board member.  

“My first call to action will forever resonate with me because it was for a little girl who passed away shortly after,” Anne recalls. “The messages sent by the child’s family were truly life-changing. When you join an organization like this, sure, you are eager to volunteer. You say things like, ‘Oh, man those poor kids; those poor families.’ But when you actually see firsthand the impact these cakes have, it becomes very clear that we are doing something that matters. It matters to those families when they feel otherwise helpless. It matters to those kids who often have faced adversity their whole lives.

“Today, Icing Smiles has grown exponentially, and it is incredibly inspiring that we have so many volunteers working tirelessly to coordinate and produce cakes and cookies for these families,” Anne continues. “I’m honored to be on the board for Icing Smiles because I truly believe the organization is making an  impactful difference in people’s lives.”

Bake a Difference

There are so many ways to get involved with Icing Smiles, from baking or attending an event to becoming a sponsor. Learn more about how you can help create more smiles.