Press

Secret Smiles of Dayton Spreads Joy, Too - Founded in honor of 9/11 victim, a UD grad
Dayton Daily News, June 25, 2003

Tracy Janess of Kettering was determined to make something positive come from her sister Kristy Irvine Ryan's death on September 11, 2001.

That moment came quietly Tuesday as she watched 16-year-old Rachel Ballinger, who is pregnant, admire the new crib that was given to her by the Junior League of Dayton and Secret Smiles of Dayton as a way to carry on Ryan's legacy of giving.

Ryan, a 30-year-old equities trader for Sandler O'Neill and Partners at the banking firm's offices on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center's South Tower, died in the terrorist attacks.

The 1993 University of Dayton graduate had enjoyed anonymously helping women and children in need through Secret Smiles, a non-profit organization she and two friends (including fellow UD alumna Meredith O'Neill Hassett, a Harlem school teacher) started in New York City in 1999.

“She was an amazing person with an amazing spirit,” said Janess, a 10-year member of the Junior League who started Secret Smiles of Dayton after her sister's death to help keep her memory alive.  Secret Smiles provides assistance to families and children in need of things such as linens, clothing and kitchen items to help them move toward independence.

Since last fall, the two organizations helped raise $7,500 to purchase 70 cribs.  The cribs have been donated to Brighter Futures, which provides nurse home-visiting programs to young pregnant and parenting women and their families.

Ballinger, whose baby is due August 9, received the first crib.

“It's real nice,” she said.

Added her mother, Deborah Ballinger: “I’m really thankful. That’s what she really needed.”

The Junior League of Dayton is a volunteer organization for women interested in making an impact in their community.  Its 47 newest members held several fund-raisers, including a Mardi Gras party at the Dayton Racquet Club on March 4 that raised $2,500.  Both organizations also collected household and baby items to be donated along with the cribs. 

Additional funding or items were provided by St. Albert the Great Preschool in Kettering, Dr. John Hole Elementary School in Centerville, Tipp City-based juvenile products company, Dolly, Inc., Terri Johnson's Childhood Photography in Centerville and individual contributors.

Pam Albers, director of Brighter Futures, said the program at the Montgomery County Job Center complex serves about 700 low-income clients annually.  The program aims to prevent premature birth, low birth weight, child abuse and neglect, to improve child health and development and encourage mothers to make plans regarding future pregnancies, return to school and find jobs.

When the Junior League contacted her about wanting to donate needed items, "cribs came to the top of the list," Albers said.

The cribs, still boxed and stacked in a storage area along with wrapped mattresses and bedding, will be given to program participants who are doing a good job in working toward their set goals.

"We're planning to give them out over the course of a year," she said.

The cribs were shipped last week by Angel Line, a baby furniture distributor in Sewell, N.J.

Janess had gone online in search of a good price on the bulk order.  She sent several e-mail inquiries to companies and received a response from only one - Angel Line.

Janess finds symbolism in the company's name, whose logo is stamped on the cribs donated in honor her younger sister's memory.

“My little angel is working,” she said.