Sydney Sirkin
Staff Writer ‘17
Would you like to help Intensive Care Unit children while they suffer through their stay at the hospital? Well, here’s how.
Brady’s Smile is a charity created by Matt and Annie Hinton in memory of their child Brady, who died on his 2nd birthday in 2006. While his more than half his life was in the ICU, Brady always had a smile on his face, especially when he heard music. Brady was born blind and had problems with every important system in his body. He had 6 minor surgeries and 2 major ones throughout his life.
While his life was difficult and short, he inspired anyone who met him or saw pictures of his incredible smile. His smile never stopped, despite a life of constant struggle and many surgeries. No matter how weak or how sick, his smile came through, reminding that courage and inspiration often comes in small packages.
You are probably wondering how you can help, and what this organization actually does.
Brady’s Smile helps kids like Brady by supplying them with care packages with blankets for the child, and necessities like toothpaste and deodorant for the parents. Anyone can help by creating an easy no-sew blanket for the charity, or donate things in their house they do not need.
Another way to help out is to come and support events that Brady’s Smile is holding.
Symphony of Smiles is coming up this weekend, Saturday March 15 at Edmond Town Hall in Newtown. Tickets are $10 each and go straight to the charity. Performers include the Connecticut Dance Troupe, who dances for most of the performance. Other performers are Oriental Arts, Studio Z Fitness, the Costal Chordsmen, and Lucia Palmer.
“I get to do what I love to do, which is dance, while giving back to the community and helping children in need at the same time, and that is an amazing feeling,” Performance Troupe dancer Julianne Boggs said.
In addition to watching the show, there is a silent auction in the lobby, where, again, the proceeds go to Brady’s Smile. Items include Disney World passes, a Boston Red Sox autographed baseball, Eli Manning donation, and Phil Mickelson memorabilia.
“With every other performance, we are entertaining the people in the audience and giving them happiness, but performing for Brady’s Smile goes beyond the theatre and helps children who are not there as well,” says Boggs.
This event is more than just seeing talented people perform, it’s also an opportunity to support an amazing charity.
If you miss this event, there are always so many more to attend. Visit http://bradyssmile.org/ to see what you can do to help.
As Brady’s Smile’s official logo says: doing big things for little ones in need.