Sewing Hope & Bringing Joy to Children 

For children facing serious illness, a small gesture can make a big difference. That’s the heart behind Ryan’s Case for Smiles, a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to delivering handmade pillowcases to pediatric hospitals. With 360 hospitals served across the country, the organization aims to bring a bit of comfort and joy to young patients under the motto: Helping kids feel better to heal better. 

The Metro OKC Chapter 

Debbie Wood leads the Metro OKC Chapter alongside co-coordinator Susan Florer. Their team meets once a month at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Edmond, where around 25-30 volunteers gather for a day of sewing, cutting, and ironing pillowcases. It’s a lively production line, with each volunteer playing a role in crafting these special gifts. After a potluck lunch, the finished pillowcases are prepared for delivery to OU Children’s Hospital. 

Each month, the chapter donates about 350 pillowcases, including contributions from home-sewers across the state. Many volunteers work from home, buying their own fabric and mailing their finished pillowcases or dropping them off at a designated location. “Our Metro OKC Chapter has produced over 65,250 pillowcases,” Debbie said, humbly dropping the amazing statistic. In May, all the nation’s chapters celebrated their 3,000,000th pillowcase nationwide by delivering a specially embroidered pillowcase to OU Children’s Hospital. 

A Personal Touch 

Every pillowcase is made from 100% cotton and features child-friendly patterns, from soft pastels to vibrant themes appealing to patients from infancy to 18 years old. “We choose patterns that we think they will enjoy, from popular characters, to sports, to whimsical patterns — and the children get to pick the one that appeals to them the most.” 

Before delivery, each case is laundered, ironed, and filled with a small card with a heartfelt poem of encouragement. 

“What we hope is that the cases bring a smile to their face,” Debbie said. “They go through so much, so much pain and illness that we just hope to brighten their day.” 

While the volunteers don’t interact directly with the children, they take great care in ensuring that each delivery reaches the hospital safely. A designated hospital coordinator meets them outside to receive the pillowcases, making certain they get into the hands of the kids who need them most. 

Get Involved 

The Metro OKC Chapter always welcomes more into their force for good, and you don’t have to sew to join. Whether through fabric and thread donations, monetary contributions, or hands-on volunteer work, every act of generosity is greatly appreciated. 

Find more information at caseforsmiles.org/oklahoma or email Debbie Wood directly at nanadeb1949@gmail.com.