Milestone – Icing Smiles, Inc.

Introducing the Sweet New Look of Icing Smiles: Illuminating the Path Forward

Icing Smiles — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 19:10:20 +0000

With a mission to become a household name, Icing Smiles is thrilled to announce the launch of its new, exciting website, marking a significant milestone in our journey towards greater awareness and impact.

Every smile counts and every cake brings joy. Icing Smiles has been a shining beacon for over 14 years. Founded by Tracy Quisenberry, our organization has tirelessly served medically ill children and their siblings, spreading happiness one cake at a time. In today’s digital age, a nonprofit’s online presence is more crucial than ever. A strong website serves as the face of the organization, conveying its mission, values, and impact to the world. With a mission to become a household name, Icing Smiles is thrilled to announce the launch of its new, exciting website, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards greater awareness and impact.

The website refresh couldn’t have come at a better time. As Chelsea Boog, Marketing Manager, puts it,

“We want Icing Smiles to roll off the tongue and for anyone you’re talking to to know about us!”

This sentiment echoes the organization’s commitment to expanding its reach and making a lasting impression on communities nationwide. The revamped website is not just a cosmetic makeover; it’s a reflection of the growth, dedication, and innovation that define Icing Smiles.

Partnering for Progress: The Collaboration with Pixel Lighthouse

Behind every successful website redesign lies a dedicated team of experts. Icing Smiles found their perfect match in Pixel Lighthouse, a nonprofit website agency fueled by a passion for helping organizations thrive online. Together, they’ve embarked on a transformative journey to create a website that not only reflects the heart and soul of Icing Smiles but also paves the way for future growth and success. Andrea Hattox, Creative Lead, shares;

“We absolutely loved working with the Icing Smiles team! We were so impressed by the clarity of their vision and their passion for bringing joy to families. (And as new parents ourselves, this project came to us at a really special moment in our lives.) It was such a fun challenge for us to translate all the things that make Icing Smiles unique into something their community can experience online. We can’t wait to see where their dedication takes them over the next few years.“

Reflecting on Growth: Tracy Quisenberry’s Vision

Tracy Quisenberry expresses her excitement, stating,

“This website redo is a long time coming but also shows how far we have come!”

Indeed, in 14 years, Icing Smiles has delivered over 30,500 cakes and 6,600 dozen cookies, touching the lives of families in all 50 states. The Icing Smiles team has grown to a network of over 13,000 volunteers. The new website reflects this remarkable journey and sets the stage for even greater accomplishments in the future.

Bridging the Gap: Amanda Grinnell’s Optimism

Amanda Grinnell, Development Manager, sees the website launch as more than just a milestone—it’s a gateway to the future. By making resources readily available, the stronger online presence of Icing Smiles fosters a sense of community and connection. Amanda shares her enthusiasm for the launch.

“Our revamped online presence will bridge the gap, making our resources readily available to families and bakers alike,” she remarks. “This is more than just a website; it’s a testament to our dedication, innovation, and the boundless possibilities ahead.”

The Impact for Families and Bakers: Lauren Smith’s Perspective

Lauren Smith, Operations Manager, finds immense value in the new site, which empowers families and bakers to effortlessly navigate and explore all that Icing Smiles has to offer. As new visitors arrive, they’ll seamlessly discover the heart of Icing Smiles’ mission, understanding the profound impact we make in the lives of medically ill children and their siblings. Moreover, they can easily navigate to apply for a cake or sign up to become a Sugar Angel, contributing their baking talents to our cause. Lauren shares,

“The new website is fun, whimsical, and inviting – which our families need during this time! The colors are happy and you can’t help but to smile when viewing it.”

A Testament to Excellence: Cindy Johnson’s Dedication

Cindy Johnson, Technology Manager, reflects on the evolution of Icing Smiles’ online presence.

“Our initial excitement began in September 2015 when we launched our very first website,” she recalls. “Fast forward 9 years, and we are thrilled to unveil a website with a brand-new appearance.”

With meticulous attention to detail, the Technology Team has ensured that the new website is a seamless experience for all visitors, brimming with excellence in every aspect.

Embracing the Sweetness: Inviting Visitors to Explore

As visitors explore the new Icing Smiles website, they’ll be greeted with a vibrant, user-friendly interface that reflects the organization’s spirit of joy and inclusivity. From heartwarming success stories to easy-to-navigate resources for bakers and families, every aspect of the website is designed to inspire, inform, and engage.

So, whether you’re a volunteer eager to make a difference, a family in need of a little sweetness, or simply someone looking to support a worthy cause, the new Icing Smiles website invites you to be a part of something truly special. Join us as we continue to spread smiles, one cake at a time, and illuminate the lives of those who need it most.

Icing Smiles Website Launch Contest

We’re thrilled to unveil our brand new website, designed to spread even more joy through the power of cake! To celebrate, we’re hosting a fun and interactive contest just for you.

How to Participate:

Explore: Visit our new website at www.icingsmiles.org and navigate through its pages.
Hunt for Keywords: Keep your eyes peeled for four specific keywords hidden across different pages of the website. These keywords will come together to form a special phrase.
Compose the Sentence: Once you’ve discovered all four keywords, put them together in the correct order to form the complete phrase.
Submit Your Entry: Fill out the contest form on our website for your chance to win!

What You Could Win:

Icing Smiles Swag Pack filled with Icing Smiles gear!

Contest Deadline:

Make sure to submit your entry before May 31, 2024 to be entered into the drawing.

Get ready to embark on a sweet adventure through our new website and uncover the hidden gems within! Best of luck and thank you for being a part of spreading smiles with Icing Smiles!

Contest HINTS:

What makes cakes so important?
These Super Star Sponsors deserve the spotlight and lots of thanks for making our program possible
Fundraising or Friendraising – important parts of our mission and a great way to get involved
The Angels of our Program

Icing Smiles Achieves Sweet Success: Celebrating 30,000 Cakes and One Remarkable Journey

Icing Smiles — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Icing Smiles achieved a huge milestone, delivering our 30,000th cake! Join us on the journey of serving Maia, a spirited one year old battling Stuve-Wiedemann Syndrome

In the world of cake decorating and charitable endeavors, Icing Smiles stands out. Recently, we hit an incredible milestone, delivering our 30,000th cake to families in need. But behind this impressive number lies a heartwarming story that exemplifies the power of compassion and the joy that a simple cake can bring to face adversity.

Maia’s Journey

Meet Maia, a spirited one year old, who despite the challenges life threw at her, embodies resilience and strength. Born with Stuve-Wiedemann Syndrome (STWS) that presented unique medical complexities, Maia found herself under the care of Sarah, a compassionate nurse at Siani Hospital.

Months passed with Maia living in the hospital, her health becoming a daily concern for the medical staff. Among those deeply affected by Maia’s situation were Sarah and her husband, Josh. The couple felt a calling to do more for this special little girl.

The Decision to Foster

Driven by compassion and an overwhelming desire to make a difference in Maia’s life, Sarah and Josh decided to open their hearts and home to her. They became Maia’s foster parents, providing her not only with medical care but also with the love and stability she needed.

“She was living in a hospital, in a hospital bed every single day. She had great medical care, but no love… when we brought her home, she didn’t do anything. She just sort of laid there. She didn’t cry because she learned in the hospital, if I cry, no one’s coming. She didn’t laugh. She had no verbal skills… Six months later, she is crawling. She doesn’t stop talking. Her hands are open. It’s just amazing. It’s amazing what love can do, and she has nothing but that here. She’s a special little girl,” says Josh.

Maia’s First Birthday

The most significant milestone in Maia’s journey has been her first birthday. Celebrating this occasion was more than just a party; it symbolized the triumph of life and love over adversity. Most children with Maia’s diagnosis pass before reaching this milestone. Josh shared, “I don’t know how long this baby’s going to live. Everyone’s telling us she’s not going to make it. It could be tomorrow; it could be 20 years from now. We don’t know, but we want to give her the best life that we can.” Maia’s resilience has shone through, and her joy has become a testament to the transformative power of care and compassion.

Sherrie’s Sweets and the Mermaid Cake

To make Maia’s first birthday truly special, Sherrie of Sherrie’s Sweets, an Icing Smiles volunteer baker, stepped in. Known for her talent and generosity, Sherrie crafted a stunning ombre mermaid themed cake, not just as a centerpiece for the celebration but as a symbol of hope and happiness.

“Every time that I make an Icing Smiles cake, there’s a possibility I’m doing it for that last birthday. That thought crossed my mind… God, I hope this is not her last birthday. I hope that she gets to celebrate 2, 3, 4, 5. But if it is, I hope this touches her family’s soul, that they’ll remember this birthday forever. Every time that I put together any cake for Icing Smiles, that’s my whole mindset the entire time.”

Sherrie experimented with new skills and dyed rice paper to create an underwater effect and she created fondant embellishments to top off the beautiful ombre buttercream. All of this was complete with the perfect “Maia” nameplate.

Icing Smiles’ 30,000 Cakes

Icing Smiles is honored to serve Maia as our 30,000th cake! Maia’s story is just one among the 30,000 heartwarming tales of love and generosity that Icing Smiles has contributed to. As an organization, we have been delivering custom cakes to families around the country with critically ill children – bringing joy and creating lasting memories.

Watch the Full Story

To experience the full depth of Maia’s incredible journey and the impact of Icing Smiles, we invite you to watch the touching YouTube video interview with Sarah, Josh, and Sherrie. Prepare to be inspired and moved by the transformative power of love, compassion, and a simple slice of sweetness.

Icing Smiles’ remarkable achievement of 30,000 cakes is not just a number; it represents the countless smiles, the immeasurable joy, and the boundless hope that has been brought to families faced with critical illness of a child. Maia’s journey from a hospital bed to a loving home is a poignant reminder of the impact that small acts of kindness, like a beautifully crafted cake, can have on someone’s life. Join us in celebrating Icing Smiles’ sweet success and the extraordinary stories of resilience and compassion that continue to unfold.