Feel Good Friday - Caitlin's Smiles

The upcoming holidays inspired me to search for groups that support children and that’s what led me to today’s featured organization, Caitlin’s Smiles.

Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Caitlin’s Smiles is “a non-profit organization that provides arts and crafts activities to children in medical facilities.”

The organization was founded in memory of Caitlin Hornung, a young girl who spent years in and out of hospitals undergoing surgeries and treatments as she battled cancer. During that time she kept a positive attitude by finding joy in creating art. Although she passed away in 2000, her spirit is kept alive through the work of Caitlin’s Smiles.

The mission of Caitlin’s Smiles is encouraging “children with serious health challenges to explore their uniquely creative talents by taking part in arts and crafts activities. While creating feelings of self-worth and instilling confidence in these children, the efforts ultimately put smiles on the faces of everyone involved.”

The organization is run by volunteers and they coordinate and create several types of gift bags to be delivered. Bags of Smiles include a volunteer-made greeting card, two craft kits, two jars of Play-Doh, a journal, coloring materials and a small toy or book. Coping Kits are mini Bags of Smiles geared for children in emergency room or out-patient surgery settings. Camp-in-a-Bag kits were born in 2020 when in-person summer medical camps for pediatric patients were canceled. Each kit contained five craft activities that campers did together during online meetings.

The impact of Caitlin’s Smiles is impressive. Gift bags are sent to children in hospitals, clinics, emergency departments, and other medical offices throughout Pennsylvania and the surrounding states of Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. In 2023, they delivered 13,085 Bags of Smiles, 19,874 Coping Kits and 113,374 Craft Kits!

If you want to get involved bringing smiles to the faces of children stuck in medical facilities this holiday season there are many ways to do so. Volunteer your time, create homemade cards, or donate cash or supplies. You can also amplify their message by spreading the word on social media. Like the Caitlin’s Smiles Facebook page, follow them on Instagram and subscribe to their YouTube channel.