THE GIFT OF TIME
Help children and families cope with the traumatic stress of illness and injuries by donating your time. The secret to our success is the strength of the thousands of volunteers around the world giving their time to help kids feel better to heal better. We want you to join our team! It is not about money, it is about making a difference. Working together we can accomplish even bigger things.
SEW A PILLOWCASE
We can’t get enough bright, cheery pillowcases. It is easy to do and only takes a few minutes. Click below for simple and fun instructions for creating your own whimsical pillowcase:
How To Sew A Pillowcase Directions (click here)
***It is important to wash the fabric before sewing pillowcases and please do not use scented detergent or dryer sheets. Once completed, pillowcases will be packaged by chapter coordinators and prepared for delivery to partner hospitals.*** Please be sure to include a note with your name and address so we can thank you properly.
What kind of fabric can I use to sew pillowcases?
- Fabric needs to be 100% cotton. Please do not use fabric with glitter.
- Remember to use fun, colorful novelty prints!
- Check with local coordinator for local hospitals specific requirements. For example: some hospitals do not allow flannel and red pillowcases tend to bleed. Some hospitals also do not accept holiday themed pillowcases.
- We do not accept ‘No-sew pillowcases’. See Pillowcase Guidelines for full list of guidelines.
MILES OF PILLOWCASE SMILES
Throughout the month of September each year, Ryan’s Case for Smiles hosts a Miles of Pillowcase Smiles campaign. The goal is to complete a minimum of 40,000 pillowcases, one for each child in treatment for cancer.
CORPORATE TEAM BUILDING
Every Ryan’s Case for Smiles team building event is custom-designed for your organization — blending collaboration, stress relief, and real community impact into a single experience your employees will still be talking about weeks later. Choose to sew pillowcases, build sibling Coping Boxes, or do both. Either way, your team leaves with stronger bonds and the satisfaction of knowing their work goes directly to children and families who need it most.
Explore team building opportunities with us →
HOST AN EVENT
We would love to partner with you to host a successful philanthropy event to support us in helping kids feel better to heal better. There are many ways for individuals, schools and businesses to get involved. Please contact us to get your event started.
- PJ Day
- Host a Facebook Fundraiser for your birthday
- Miles for Smiles Run
- PajamaThon (dance marathon)
- Wall of Smiles
- Jeans Day
- Bag Bingo
- Sports Tournament
- Poker Night
- Talent Show
- Bake Sale
- Change collection jar at your school or business
DONATE
We can’t do anything without you. Please help us support kids to feel better, to heal better.
Sadly the stream of sick children never ends, while the costs of fabric and materials have tripled over the past few years. Like so many across the country, volunteers have struggled with job losses and economic hardship, making it more difficult for them to continue to donate pillowcases. The average cost of a pillowcase is $12.00 (as determined by auditors Torrillo & Associates, LLC). Individual donations and grants from organizations have helped defray some of the costs but we have found we cannot continue to meet the needs of the children without additional funding. If you would like to make a contribution, please click the Donate button below. For information on how to make a gift of stock or appreciated mutual fund shares, please click here.
