Young Philanthropists Making a Big Difference at GBMC

Born weighing 2 lbs. 3 oz, Riley Lyons (pictured above) spent her first three months of life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at GBMC. As she got older, she wanted to make an impact in a fun and tangible way, so she began making and selling lip gloss, donating her proceeds back to the GBMC NICU.

Through this endeavor, Riley, now 10 years old, gained valuable skills in entrepreneurship, marketing, and social responsibility. Riley has learned she can make a true difference in her community.

“Making a donation of all of my funds is an honor and privilege to give back because the GBMC NICU did so much for me,” said Riley.

Jordy, a spirited 5-year-old, and his 2-year-old sister Annie recently embarked on their first entrepreneurial venture by setting up a smoothie stand. The siblings offered delightful flavors, including strawberry banana, to their community. Their efforts paid off as they raised $107. All proceeds were donated to GBMC's Nursing Department, reflecting the family's commitment to healthcare, with their mom, Jill Silbert, having previously worked at GBMC as a telemetry nurse. This initiative not only highlighted the children's entrepreneurial spirit but also their dedication to supporting healthcare workers.