The connection between Caitlin’s Smiles and Abby’s Angels may not be obvious at first glance. But as you learn more about these two organizations, you’ll learn about the links between them. Overall, mental health is a big part of the equation. Both organizations were born out of heartbreak, love and compassion.
Caitlin’s Smiles was founded to help children in medical facilities by providing them with arts and crafts activities in hopes that the items will help them to cope with their stress in a positive way. Abby’s Angels was founded to prevent suicide and to help young people battling mental health issues and the stigma of mental health know that they are validated, respected, and not alone.
What connects them is a family. One affected by tragedy and the will to help others despite their own losses. Caitlin’s Smiles was founded by Cheryl Hornung in 2004 in honor of her daughter, Caitlin, who passed from cancer. Twenty years later, Cheryl & husband Russ’ youngest daughter, Abby, died by suicide. It seems unfathomable that this could happen.
For a second time the family was hit with a devastating loss. When the time was right, Abby’s Angels was formed in 2025 in honor of Abby. This is new territory for Cheryl, her husband Russ, and daughter, Dani. The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) helped establish Abby’s Angels as a project. Through their organization, The Abby Hornung Memorial Scholarship Fund honors Abby by helping to fund students who are pursuing a degree in social work or a related mental health field. In addition, Abby’s Angels shows support to mental health workers by providing them with items of appreciation such as breakfast platters, snacks and care bags. By connecting with the staff, Abby’s Angels learns what items are needed to support their work with patients. Blankets, a keyboard, and personal care items are among items that have been supplied to mental health facilities to help their patients. The mental health system is so complex. The Hornung’s continue to learn about the mental health system and are always looking for ways to find ways to help from the outside.
Abby’s Angels also aims to raise awareness of suicide prevention through QPR classes (Question, Persuade and Respond). Recently, the Caitlin’s Smiles and Abby’s Angels came together to host a QPR class at the Caitlin’s Smiles office in Harrisburg. Leading the training was Govan Martin, a former Pennsylvania State Police trooper and founder of the Suicide Prevention Alliance. These training sessions have been created to empower all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know. Attendees learn how to recognize a crisis and the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide. Click here to visit Suicide Prevention Alliance’s website.
The 2-hour training was covered by ABC27 News and they produced this news report on the event. Click here to view ABC27’s story.
Click here to view the Abby’s Angels website where you can learn more and make a donation.
Donations and fundraisers finance the outreach provided to the mental health facilities.
A summer fundraiser is in the works for July 23rd at The Peter Allen House. To learn more about the upcoming fundraiser for Abby’s Angels, click here: “Rock and Roll: Step Back in Time Dance the Night Away.”
