ABOUT
KINDNESS
IS CONTAGIOUS
DONATE
Helping Children Smile During Hard Times
What is a Smile Bag?
Smile Bags, are care packages made for children to be happy during one of their toughest parts of their lives. I decided to make these bags, when I found out one of my closest friends were going through the foster care system and was being removed from their home. I could not imagine going through such a sad experience with nothing to help me cope. So, I decided to do something to help kids like my friend, and others that may be involved in accidents, fires, or other scary situations. Items in the bag can help cope with stress and fear, while the bags can be used to put clothes or personal belongings.
I delivered my first smile bags when I was in forth grade, and since then I have delivered these bags to over 30 different police and fire departments across Indiana and Illinois. These numbers keep growing, and by the end of the year I expect to have bags in several more police departments. Thank you to all of the kind people who have donated to me, we can make more and more children happier during tough situations.
In The News
This past April, I had a follow up interview with Erin McElroy of WGN Chicago. Wow how things have changed so much, but the message is the same, "Kindness is Contagious!"
Check out the story here
Addison Brown and Erin McElroy
of WGN News Chicago. Erin originally did a feature story
about Miles of Many Smiles during a press conference
with the Indiana State Police in 2020. It was so nice to see her again.
How to help
My goal is to get Smile Bags in as many police stations around the country as possible. If you would like to help please click on the "donate" page. From there you can access my GoFundMe page, or get information to send donations directly.
To make smile bags I need items such as personal packs of tissues, hand sanitizer, books for Pre-K to High school, coloring books and crayons, small unopened toys, or stress toys. If you would like to donate gift cards, cash, or checks please send them to the address on the Donate page.
"Smile Bags" are now
being carried by School
Resource Officers (SRO'S)
at every building in the
Kankakee Valley School
Corporation.
A very special thank you to
The Honorable Emily Waddle, Judge for Jasper County, IN, for making Jasper County Courts the first court to carry "Smile Bags."
It is an honor to work with you.
What's New?
There has been an overwhelming response to "Smile Bags" over the past 6 years. Since starting "Miles of Many Smiles," I have focused on helping children with the help of first responders. Recently, I had the opportunity to help in several other ways. "Smiles Bags" are now found in schools, courts, and through emergency services.
Recently, my school community was impacted by devastating storms and tornadoes. Our community worked together to help gather supplies to help those in need, and I was able to donate several "Smile Bags" to help children who lost everything due to the storms. The bags that were left over were given to a shelter for women and their children. I am so happy that during the most difficult times in a child's life, the "Smile Bags" that were put together with generous donations were able to bring a glimpse of hope and happiness.
Thank you for your support. Please share my Facebook, webpage, and GoFundMe info so that I can keep my project going to as many first responders and organizations that will take "Smile Bags."
