Administrative Spotlight – Emily Easterly

Today we are featuring our Technology Team Member Emily Easterly. See how she is making a difference here at Icing Smiles!

Name: Emily Easterly
Position: Technology Team Member
Favorite Song: Spirit in the Sky (my mom would just belt this song whenever it came on the radio, now that she’s gone—it just means so much more!)
Favorite Movie: The Little Mermaid (I’m a big mermaid fan.)
Favorite Book: I’m not really much of a reader—but I like the classic fairy tales.
Hidden Talent: Hmm I can remember weird obscure details about things from the past. I can decorate a mean cake (a nice one too). I’ve been told I can sing, but I am too shy to do it in front of anyone.
Favorite Snack: I’ll just go with my favorite food—sushi!
Favorite Quote: Live. Laugh. Love.

Favorite Memory with Icing Smiles: My last cake. It was for a little boy who was a part of Almost Home Kids in Naperville. The boy’s name was Jesus and he was turning 3 at the time. Almost Home Kids provides transitional care in a home-like setting to children with complicated health needs. But for Jesus, it was home.

He loved the song The Wheels on the Bus, so I made him a school bus cake (out of styrofoam so they could keep it) and placed it on top of a 1/2 sheet cake. When I delivered it, he was just so happy! He was the sweetest, tiny little boy. His condition could not be released, but he had a tracheostomy tube and braces on his legs. He gave me a big hug and kiss on the cheek and said, “Thank you.”

The staff at the home were so thankful and excited. It was so wonderful. I didn’t want to leave to go back to work. When I got back in the car, that’s when I couldn’t hold it anymore and I just started bawling. Of the 5 cakes I’ve done before that one I’ve never cried. But this one was so much more emotional since he didn’t have a physical home to go to. I wish I could have taken him in. He’s such a great kid!

Emily volunteers with the Technology Team and has devoted many years in other roles with Icing Smiles. She also is a graduate of The French Pastry School of Chicago’s L’Art du Gâteau program and owns and operates a bakery called Betty June’s. She currently works as a Decorator in the Decorating Room at Wilton Industries creating content for many Wilton publications such as the yearbook, website, product packaging, store signage, videos, etc. She also teaches at the Wilton School in Darien, IL and had a class on Craftsy called The Wilton Method: Statement Flowers.

Emily lives with her husband Chad and two children in Illinois. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her kids, exploring the internet, and just taking it easy!

Written by Operations Manager Rose Carvallo.