10,000 Cookie Smiles – A Big Milestone for Icing Smiles

Celebrating 10,000 moments of joy, one cookie at a time — and the families, bakers, and sponsors who make it possible.

Ten thousand cookie packages. Ten thousand moments of joy. Ten thousand reminders to families facing unimaginable challenges that they are loved, celebrated, and remembered. This month, Icing Smiles reached an incredible milestone — our 10,000th Surprise Cookie Care Package was delivered. And fittingly, that package went to a very special family we’ve had the privilege of serving multiple times: the Swartz family.

Clara Hope: Defying the Odds

Clara’s story is nothing short of miraculous. She was born with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) and a Type 4 Laryngeal Cleft — meaning her lungs were underdeveloped and her esophagus and airway began as one connected tube. This rare combination of conditions had never been survived before.

In her first months of life, Clara endured multiple major surgeries to repair her airway and digestive tract and to place a tracheostomy. She spent her first six months in an ICU, tethered to machines but surrounded by hope. Clara’s mom, Victoria “Tori” Swartz, shares:

“She is the first baby to have survived this combination of conditions. We are just so thankful for her and her incredible story.”

Today, Clara requires ventilator support and receives nutrition through a feeding tube, but her doctors expect that by kindergarten she will be free of all equipment — living a healthy, active life.

How the Smiles Began

The Swartz family was introduced to Icing Smiles while still in the thick of Clara’s hospital stay. Tori connected through a Facebook group with another “medical mama” — who turned out to be our Operations Manager, Lauren. Lauren shared Icing Smiles’ mission and encouraged Tori to request a Dream Cake.

Since then, Icing Smiles has celebrated four birthdays with the Swartz Family.

Sibling Birthdays – This summer, her older children turned 6 and 4 one day apart. Each received their own show-stopping cake — one an icy blue Elsa ice palace, the other a bright yellow construction zone. “The kids felt spoiled, and everyone who sees them is amazed by the cakes,” says Tori.
First Cake – While Clara was still in the hospital, her older siblings, ages 5 and 3, were treated to a Paw Patrol cake and cupcake display. “During a season where our big kids had to be really flexible and resilient, it was sweet to be able to give them something so fun and extravagant, and to be able to share it with others in the hospital,” Tori says.
Clara’s First Birthday – A milestone no one knew would come. Baker Pete created a towering rainbow masterpiece with a removable smash cake just for Clara. “Rainbows have been a theme with Clara, reminding us of the rainbow that’s come after the storms we’ve weathered,” Tori shares. Pete cleared his schedule to personally deliver the cake, telling Tori, “Even if it doesn’t [work], it does. We will make it work.”

The Sweet Surprise of Cookie Care Package #10,000

After spending seven long months in Florida for Clara’s treatment, the Swartzes returned home to Georgia. Not long after, a package arrived — no announcement, no expectation — just pure surprise.

Inside was an Octonauts-themed cookie puzzle set, made by Sugar Angel Martha Timke.

“It felt so meaningful that even the people at Icing Smiles remembered and were celebrating with us,” says Tori. “The kids (and I) loved building the puzzle and eating the cookies. It was such an unexpected and thoughtful treat.”

A Baker with a Heart for Families

For Martha, baking for Icing Smiles is deeply personal. Her first son was born with a blood disorder that required blood transfusions every 2–3 months until he was two years old. Though he is now a healthy 37-year-old, Martha has never forgotten the exhaustion, fear, and stress of those years.

“He was so little and I was so tired. I sometimes feel that what I do for a living is superfluous — is cake a necessity? When I express this to my students, they remind me that I give to them every day. Still, couldn’t I do more? Being a Sugar Angel helps fill that desire.”

While she loves creating elaborate Dream Cakes, the Cookie Care Packages hold a special joy for her. “Anonymously sending out cookie orders is especially fun for me. I imagine what it might be like for the family when they receive their surprise… That’s why I often make cookie puzzles for the younger ones — it’s two treats in one.”

Learning that her Octonauts cookies were the 10,000th package made the moment even sweeter:

“Once I drop the box off at the post office, I never know what’s happened to it. How rewarding it is to know that my cookies reached their destination and that my family got to enjoy them!”

Her message to bakers considering joining Icing Smiles?

“Run, don’t walk. Being a Sugar Angel is one of the most gratifying things I do. You will forever be grateful you joined such a wonderful organization.”

Powered by Partnership

Our Cookie Program wouldn’t be possible without the support of our sponsor, Domino Sugar, whose generosity fuels thousands of these packages each year. Paula Summers, VP of Marketing, Domino Sugar shares:

“Reaching the milestone of 10,000 cookie packages delivered through Icing Smiles feels like a dream come true for our entire Domino Sugar family. What inspired us to support this program was simple—we saw a chance to transform our passion for baking into something that could truly matter to families facing pediatric illness. Every package is so much more than a treat; it’s a moment where sweetness brings comfort to an entire family, where hearts are lifted and togetherness shines even on the toughest days. This achievement truly reflects the amazing spirit of volunteers and partners working in harmony to create joy and hope. My favorite part? Knowing that today, somewhere, a family is sharing cookies made with care and feeling supported by kindness on their journey.”

More Than Cookies

For the Swartz family, every cake and cookie has been a bright spot during long, difficult seasons — a moment to feel seen, celebrated, and loved.

“This world of medical diagnoses can be so overwhelming,” says Tori. “While cakes and cookies may seem small in the grand scheme of things, it is incredible how seen and loved you can feel when you receive a gift like this. It’s knowing you have an amazing community who cares about families like ours.”

Here’s to the next 10,000 Cookie Care Packages — and to every smile, milestone, and memory they represent.