Sometimes life asks more of us than we ever expected.

Our dear friend Susan Schmitt, the heart and hands behind The Painted Cookie, is currently navigating an unexpected and overwhelming mental and physical health challenge. This season has required her to pause, step away from her beloved bakery, and focus fully on rest, healing, and recovery.

The decision to close The Painted Cookie was not an easy one. This bakery has been more than a business; it has been a creative outlet, a place of joy, and a way she shared her incredible talent with so many of us. Unfortunately, stepping back so suddenly brings with it significant financial strain, at a time when stability and support are most needed.

This GoFundMe has been created to help ease that burden — to assist with living expenses, medical and recovery-related costs, and to give her the space to heal without the added weight of financial stress.

If you’ve ever enjoyed one of her cookies, admired her artistry, or simply care about supporting someone through a difficult chapter, any contribution — large or small — will mean more than words can express. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this page or keeping her in your thoughts is just as appreciated.

Thank you for wrapping her in kindness, grace, and understanding during this time. We believe in brighter days ahead, and we are deeply grateful to this community for helping her get there.

With love and gratitude,

Matthew, Sam and Benjamin