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: 

 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: 

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

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: 

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: 

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. 

The Impact of Icing Smiles Local Outreach Ambassadors

At Icing Smiles, we believe that every family deserves a reason to smile—even in the midst of life’s toughest challenges. Our mission? To bring joy and a sprinkle of sweetness to families affected by critical illness through custom cakes and treats. But, as much as we love baking up smiles, we can’t do it alone! To truly make a difference, we need to spread the word, and that’s where our amazing Local Outreach initiative comes in.

Introducing the Local Outreach Ambassador (LOA) – the driving soul of our mission. This is the person who is out there getting the word out through building relationships, and making sure families in need know that Icing Smiles is here to bring some sweetness into their lives. Think of it as a fun, passion-driven role that’s all about spreading joy and, of course, smiles.

What is a Local Outreach Ambassador (LOA)?

So, what does it mean to be an LOA? It’s pretty simple—you’re the community cheerleader for Icing Smiles! As a Local Outreach Ambassador, your role is to spread general awareness to everyone in your local community to help make Icing Smiles a household name. LOAs are our “mission spreaders” getting people excited about what we do! Here’s how you can make a difference:

• Spread the word: Tell everyone you know about Icing Smiles! From casual chats to social media posts, you’re the go-to person for all things Icing Smiles.
• Host and attend events: Whether you’re setting up a booth at a local fair or hosting a fun awareness event, you’re helping to bring Icing Smiles to the community.
• Build local partnerships: Get in touch with local businesses, bakeries, and organizations to let them know how they can help families through Icing Smiles.
• Encourage others to join as Sugar Angels: The more bakers we have, the more cakes we can deliver!

It’s all about sharing the love—and spreading those sweet vibes throughout your community.

The Power of FRIEND-raising

Here’s the thing: being an LOA isn’t about asking for donations or running big fundraisers (although those are important, too!). It’s about FRIEND-raising. It’s about getting the word out so that more families in need can benefit from the joy of receiving a dream cake. The more people who know about Icing Smiles, the more we can bring smiles to the faces of families facing critical illness.

When you talk to someone about Icing Smiles, you’re not just promoting a cause—you’re sharing a mission of joy. You might not even realize it, but that conversation could lead to a volunteer who bakes a cake for a family or a connection that helps us reach someone who really needs that little bit of extra sweetness.

What Does It Take to Be an LOA?

Being an LOA is a fun, fulfilling, and flexible way to make a real impact in your community. And guess what? It doesn’t take a ton of time! Icing Smiles provides a monthly campaign initiative idea with tools and support to make it happen. All we ask that our LOAs commit to completing at least four campaigns per year. This could include:

• Handing out treats (cookies, cupcakes, or even pre-packaged candy!) with Icing Smiles info at local events.
• Hosting a booth at a craft fair or community event to talk to people about our mission.
• Partnering with local businesses to help us get the word out.
• Organizing a fun awareness event (who doesn’t love a sweet treat for a good cause?).
• Posting about Icing Smiles on social media to spread the word and engage your followers.

The best part? You can get as creative as you want! If you’re into baking, baking for a cause is just icing on the cake (pun intended). If you’re a social butterfly, spreading the word at events is a great fit. If you’re a social media whiz, use your platforms to tell the world about Icing Smiles. It’s all about finding what works for you and making it happen!

LOA Spotlights: Experiences from Our Volunteers

Now let’s hear from some of our awesome LOAs who are spreading the Icing Smiles joy in their communities! These incredible individuals show us that being an LOA is a passion-driven, fun-filled role that makes a huge difference.

Samantha Pelletier is a busy working mom of four and a proud LOA for Icing Smiles. She first learned about the organization when her child was diagnosed with Rasmussen’s Encephalitis, a rare neurological disorder. “During such an overwhelming time, Icing Smiles became a beacon of happiness for our family,” Samantha shared. “We received an Icing Smiles cake for our oldest daughter’s 10th birthday, and it was truly an unforgettable experience.”

That memorable experience inspired Samantha to give back to the organization. “I reached out to volunteer because I wanted to help other families who were going through similar struggles. Now, as an LOA, I have the privilege of working behind the scenes to help spread the word to families in need.”

Samantha is just one example of how being an LOA is not only about raising awareness but creating personal connections with families.

Samantha encourages others to volunteer with Icing Smiles: “If you’re looking for a way to bring joy to families in need, consider volunteering with Icing Smiles. Whether you’re a baker, a coordinator, or simply an advocate, every role helps create sweet moments that mean the world to families like mine.”

Lynn Ann Slack loves being a LOA and she’s making waves in her community.

Lynn’s advice? “If you’re considering becoming an LOA, just jump in and do it! It’s easy to find ways to fit into your schedule. And trust me, the small things add up to big results!”

Katie Hardy found her inspiration at a local Halloween carnival and is now a passionate advocate for Icing Smiles. “I love spreading the word naturally, through social media and word-of-mouth. I’ll post a picture of the cake or cookies I made, and people will ask questions, which is a perfect chance to talk about Icing Smiles.”

Katie encourages new LOAs with this:

Deserae Orton has been with Icing Smiles for almost nine years and absolutely loves delivering cakes to families. “It’s so rewarding to know that when I’m baking, I’m sending strength and love to a family going through a hard time,” she says.

Deserae’s favorite way to promote Icing Smiles?

Deserae’s advice? “If you like projects, meeting people, and sharing a good cause, then do it! You don’t have to do everything all at once. The team at Icing Smiles is always there to support you!”

Join the Movement!

Feeling inspired? Ready to help spread smiles and sweetness in your community? We’d love to have you on board as a Local Outreach Ambassador! It’s an exciting, fun, and meaningful way to make a real difference. Plus, you’ll be part of a passionate community of volunteers who are all about spreading joy!

Sign up today to become an LOA and start making an impact in your community. Whether you’re handing out cookies, hosting an event, or sharing on social media, every little bit helps to bring more smiles to families in need.

For more information or to get started, click here to sign up. Join the movement and let’s spread the love—one cake at a time!