Sweet Connections: Building Smiles with Raymour & Flanigan

When passion meets purpose, amazing things happen.

When passion meets purpose, amazing things happen. That’s exactly what unfolded when Rosanne Rush—former bakery owner, Icing Smiles supporter, and Raymour & Flanigan Home Furnishing Consultant—introduced us to the Raymour & Flanigan team. After connecting with Icing Smiles at the Atlantic City Bakery Expo, Rosanne saw an opportunity to bring our mission to life in a new way. She shared:

“I was immediately taken with Tracy’s desire to help children. I explained to her that Raymour & Flanigan does outreach events for nonprofit organizations, and I knew our corporation and employees would be a great fit.”

And she was right.

From One Store to Three—And Growing!

What began as a single event in Farmingdale, NY has blossomed into a multi-location partnership, now including stores in Garden City and Valley Stream. Each event has been unique—from simple tables with cookies and literature, to elaborate cake displays, local bakery tastings, and even a scavenger hunt that turned shopping into a mission moment.

At the heart of each event is Jean Schapowal, one of our most dedicated Local Outreach Ambassadors. Jean, who’s been a Sugar Angel for nearly a decade, is now helping lead this partnership on the ground:

“The first Raymour & Flanigan event felt like a huge success! We had desserts and numerous cake displays throughout the showroom. Raymour & Flanigan gave us prime space and even had their sales team direct guests to our table. I felt so welcomed and supported.”

What’s made these events truly special is Raymour’s deep-rooted commitment to community. As Kenneth Doyle, Showroom Manager at Farmingdale, explained:

“We look for organizations that do meaningful work at the local level. Hosting Icing Smiles allows our customers to experience that impact firsthand. One of the most touching moments was seeing a young girl battling cancer connect with another customer, a cancer survivor. It was powerful and heartfelt—and exactly why we do what we do.”

Sweet Treats, Sweeter Support

Thanks to generous partners, these events are also a delicious experience. Sweet Karma Desserts has contributed beautifully crafted desserts for sampling. And for our most recent event, The Icing Smiles Cookie Club stepped up in a major way. Volunteer bakers from around the country donated 500 cookies for our two-day event. It’s partnerships like these that help us share joy with every guest who visits the Icing Smiles table.

Looking ahead, we’re dreaming even bigger. Jean shares:

“Garden City expressed interest in a decorating event—cakes or cookies—which would be a great family-friendly addition. Raymour & Flanigan has offered to make a ‘kid zone’ and cover the floors. With a few local donations—balloons, treats, and volunteers—we can create something truly memorable for the families.”

A Model for Local Outreach

This collaboration is a shining example of what our Local Outreach Ambassadors can create when they pair passion with community partnerships. Whether it’s handing out cookies, displaying dream cakes, or simply answering questions about what we do, every interaction has the power to inspire a new supporter or connect a family to our mission.

And for Raymour & Flanigan, the partnership has become more than just community outreach—it’s a heartfelt commitment to the families and causes they care about.
As Rosanne puts it:

“I believe in this mission and the magic we’re creating together.”

We’re grateful to Raymour & Flanigan for opening their doors and their hearts. Together, we’re not just furnishing homes—we’re building hope, one smile at a time.