For the past six years, Ginger Beasley combined her passion for sewing and philanthropy by joining Ryan's Case for Smiles, a national organization offering hospitalized children a reason to smile.
Originally known as ConKerr Cancer, the organization started 10 years ago in honor of Ryan Kerr, who at age 12 was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.
Through his journey, he suffered from five recurrences of the cancer, 30 months of chemotherapy, 15 surgeries, amputation of his right leg and more than 150 days of physical therapy, according to the Case for Smiles website.
Beasley, Mid-Missouri coordinator for Ryan's Case for Smiles, said she started the program as a way to give back to local children dealing with illness or traumatic experiences.
"Our motto is helping children feel better to heal better," Beasley said. "We feel like this is one small thing we can do."
Through the gift of a brightly-colored, uniquely stitched pillow case made of 100 percent cotton,
children all across Mid-Missouri are given a reason to smile.
Beasley said she hosted the first Case for Smile workshop six years ago at First Christian Church in Fulton.
It has continued to bloom, gathering volunteers who sew, iron, wash and pack the pillow cases in their own individual casing.
Connie May joined forces with Beasley after she heard about the program through the Children's Hospital in Columbia.
At the time, May sewed 40 pillowcases a month with a small group of retired friends for the children in Columbia.
"I saw this as a way to continue sewing and to reach more children," May said.
The Mid-Missouri chapter has distributed 17,000 pillow cases to hospitals like St. Mary's Hospital in Jefferson City, Children's Hospital in Columbia and Moberly Regional Medical Center.
"It's just really rewarding for me to help a child," six-year volunteer Linda Mealy said.
Volunteer seamtress Glenda Fitch added: "At any given workshop, there will be a variety of colorful fabrics, a couple sewing machines and a room full of smiles and helping hands."
The group works together to host workshops at churches, schools and local organizations, wherever Beasley finds there may be a need for the pillow cases.
They have even hosted workshops at Knights of Columbus in Jefferson City, Algoa Correctional Center and the Women's Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Vandalia.
Beasley explained it can cost anywhere between $7.50 and $10 per pillow case, including the packaging.
"We are always happy to accept donations and volunteers, but for any material donated it must be 100 percent cotton," Beasley said.
Those interested in getting involved can contact Beasley at 573-592-7539 or [email protected].