By Lana Hanania – News Editor

Senior Keyettes President Elizabeth Ryan recently led the club in a blanket-making activity to benefit Brady’s Smile. Advocate News Editor Lana Hanania interviewed Ryan about the event. 

LH: What was the purpose of the blanket making and who were the blankets going to? 

ER: The purpose of the blanket making is to help young children who are in the hospital feel more comfortable. These blankets help to brighten up the child’s room, and the child gets to keep the blanket forever.

LH:  How did you come up with the idea of making blankets? 

ER: It was something the Keyettes were doing in the past before COVID, so we decided to start it up again this year through the Brady’s Smile organization.

LH: How did you make the blankets? 

ER: You take two pieces of fleece fabric, lay them on top of each other, cut about 1.5-inch strips around the entire border, and then use these strips to tie a knot.

LH: Why did the Keyettes partner with Brady’s Smile?

ER: Brady’s Smile has impacted over 130,000 people using the five core programs they’ve created. These programs help with their mission of making life easier for children and their families in the hospital. The programs are Comfort Bags, Brady Blankets, Teen Totes, Meals by Matt and Annie, and Music in the ICU. 

LH: What does “Bradys Smile” mean? 

ER: The organization was named “Brady’s Smile” that because his parents shared that while Brady had a variety of severe medical conditions, he was always smiling.