Stitching Smiles for Children Who Needed Them Most
By Sandra Viola
In a room filled with fabric, scissors, and conversation, something meaningful was always taking shape. For more than 15 years, neighbors Agnes Kirchner and Caroline DeBennedittis turned yards of colorful cotton into comfort for children facing serious illness through Ryan’s Case for Smiles.
Agnes and Caroline jointly led the Long Island/Brooklyn/Manhattan chapter of the national organization, which provided handmade pillowcases to pediatric patients in hospitals and cancer treatment centers. The mission was simple but powerful: helping kids feel better to heal better. Bright pillowcases replaced standard hospital linens, giving children something cheerful and personal during what could be a frightening and unfamiliar time.
The impact of their work was significant. Last year alone, their chapter delivered more than 2,400 pillowcases to 12 hospitals and cancer centers across the region. Each pillowcase was made by hand, selected for its playful patterns and colors, and created with care by volunteers who wanted to make a difference.
Ryan’s Case for Smiles operated in all 50 states, but its success depended on local chapters like this one. Agnes and Caroline coordinated fabric donations, organized sewing days, and managed distribution — all while welcoming new volunteers into the fold. Their events were as much about community as they were about productivity.
One of the most appealing aspects of the program was that no sewing experience was required. Volunteers helped in many ways: cutting fabric, ironing pieces, folding finished pillowcases, or organizing supplies. Whether someone stayed for an hour or an afternoon, every contribution mattered.
“There was a place for everyone,” one volunteer shared. “You didn’t need special skills — just a willingness to help.”
The sewing sessions often felt more like gatherings than workdays, filled with conversation, cooperation, and the shared knowledge that each pillowcase would soon be placed in the hands of a child who needed a smile. For the children who received them, these pillowcases were more than decorative. They became a small source of comfort, something familiar in a clinical setting, and sometimes even a treasured keepsake.
As the holiday season approached, Agnes and Caroline continued to plan upcoming events and welcome new helpers. Their work served as a reminder that giving didn’t always come in a box or with a bow — sometimes it was stitched together with time, care, and compassion.
In a season known for generosity, these two neighbors — along with the many volunteers they inspired — proved that simple acts, sewn with love, could make a lasting difference.
