Ashton knows what it feels like to be the kid in the hospital bed. Born with hip dysplasia, she was in and out of hospitals as a child and adolescent, and later walked through an eating disorder. Those experiences showed her how isolating a hard season can feel.
When Chance heard her birthday idea, he leaned all the way in. He 3D-printed tiny golden-retriever balloon weights inspired by Teddy, and together they delivered a little joy to children who needed it.
That first delivery became something bigger than a birthday surprise. It became a way to bless people in hard seasons with small, tangible reminders that they are seen, loved, and not forgotten.
Today, Operation Floating Sunshine is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit rooted in Reading, PA. We’re starting local, focusing on children’s hospitals and shelters, and keeping things simple: balloons, cards, small gifts, and honest care.
The gifts have grown from that first armful of balloons into flowers arranged in individual vases, wrapped holiday surprises, and Passion Projects built around a specific delivery. What connects them is the care that goes into each one: making something feel like it was chosen for a person, not simply passed along. Our dated Updates tell those stories through the preparation and deliveries we can share.
This is still something we are building together. Supporters help fund gifts; volunteers can offer card writing, packing, practical skills, or time behind the scenes. Hospitals and shelters have their own rules, and the people receiving gifts have a right to privacy. Growing the sunshine should never mean forgetting the person at the center of it.
On June 28, 2026, Teddy passed his Canine Good Citizen test. We shared that milestone in Updates as a step toward our hope of future therapy-dog visits. Passing that test is not the same as therapy-dog certification or permission to visit a facility, but we were very proud of our little sunshine helper!
Want to help float more sunshine?
Support a delivery, nominate a place, or just say hello.