Meet Our Smile Stroll Committee Team
Behind every successful Smile Stroll is a dedicated team of people who believe in the power of community, connection, and making a difference. Our Smile Stroll Committee is made up of passionate volunteers who bring their time, talents, ideas, and energy together to help create an event filled with encouragement, celebration, and plenty of smiles.
From planning and promoting the event to supporting participants, families, sponsors, and community partners, each committee member plays an important role in making the Smile Stroll a meaningful and memorable experience.
We’re proud to introduce the incredible people working behind the scenes to bring the Smile Stroll to life. Meet our team, learn what inspires them, and discover why the Smile Stroll holds a special place in their hearts!
Danielle Catron (Founder)
Tell us a little about yourself. Hi! I’m Danielle Catron, the founder of the Smile Stroll. I was born with a bilateral cleft palate and have undergone so many surgeries that I’ve honestly lost count. My own journey has given me a passion for supporting others born with craniofacial differences.
What inspired you to join the Smile Stroll committee? I’m a proud Camp About Face alum, and it truly changed my life as a child. I always knew I wanted to give back someday. In 2016, I created the Smile Stroll as part of my college practicum project, and what started as a class assignment has grown into something much bigger than I ever imagined.
Why is the Smile Stroll important to you?
The Smile Stroll helps make Camp About Face possible for so many children. Camp builds confidence, creates lifelong friendships, and gives kids a place where they feel accepted for exactly who they are. For many, it’s the first time they truly feel like they belong.
What is your favorite Smile Stroll memory, or what are you most looking forward to this year? My favorite part of every Smile Stroll is seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces. Our Smilers are always so welcoming, supportive, and happy to be together. The sense of community each year is truly special.
What’s one fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know? I live on a farm!
Ellen Hibschman
Tell us a little about yourself. I was first introduced to the Smile Stroll in 2017, the same year my grandson was born with a cleft lip and became a Riley Kid.
What inspired you to join the Smile Stroll Committee? I joined the Smile Stroll Committee in 2018. Since then, our connection to the Smile Stroll has become even more personal, as my bonus grandson is also a Riley Kid navigating craniofacial anomalies.
Why is the Smile Stroll important to you? This year I assisted at the Smile Stroll booth during the Camp About Face Registration Day. It was an uplifting experience to see how excited the campers were to begin their week-long adventure. It truly warms my heart to support such an amazing event for these kids.
What is your favorite Smile Stroll memory, or what are you most looking forward to this year? My most memorable adventures have been exploring the open road from the back of a Harley-Davidson my husband drives.
What’s one fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know? Together, we have experienced the breathtaking scenery of 12 different states!
April Bladen
Tell us a little about yourself. My name is April Bladen. Family means the world to me. I’m married to a wonderful man and have two amazing children. I love Jesus, pigs, hiking, and food! One thing that most people don’t know about me is I’m an introvert trying to be an extrovert!! It’s hard for me to talk to other people, but it’s easier when you have an amazing group of people beside you!
What inspired you to join the Smile Stroll Committee? My daughter Abby was born with a cleft lip as well as other abnormalities. She inspired me to get involved with The Smile Stroll. The Smile Stroll helps children attend Camp About Face, and this camp changed my daughter’s life. It gave her a place of belonging, a place where she felt accepted, and a place where she connected with others who were going through some of the same things she was. I want every child with craniofacial anomalies to have the chance to become part of the Camp About Family, as the campers like to call it. A place where they feel they belong and don’t have to feel ashamed about the way they look. A place where they can feel loved for who they are!
What is your favorite Smile Stroll memory, or what are you most looking forward to this year? My favorite part of The Smile Stroll is listening to the speakers. Not only are we trying to raise money for campers to attend Camp About Face, but we are also trying to spread awareness! The face is one of the first things people see, and you are sometimes judged because of that; it doesn’t have to be that way! I truly believe we can change the way people look at others! We can make a difference!!
Ryan Robertson
Tell us a little about yourself. I am an Indiana native, business owner, consultant, and someone who truly enjoys helping people and organizations grow. I have been blessed to work with businesses and nonprofits to develop strategies, solve problems, and turn meaningful ideas into action. Faith, family, relationships, and serving others are very important to me, and I believe we all have an opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of those around us.
What inspired you to join the Smile Stroll Committee? I was inspired to join the Smile Stroll Committee because of Danielle's passion, and I wanted to support the cause behind the Smile Stroll and the people involved.
Why is the Smile Stroll important to you?
The Smile Stroll is important to me because it represents community, inclusion, encouragement, and hope. It reminds people that every person matters and deserves to feel supported, valued, and celebrated. Events like this create connections, raise awareness, and give families and individuals an opportunity to experience something positive together.
What is your favorite Smile Stroll memory, or what are you most looking forward to this year? I am looking forward to seeing the smiles, hearing the stories, meeting new people, and experiencing the energy that comes from people joining together for this shared purpose.
What is one fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know? One fun fact about me is that I recently got a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and I enjoy taking spontaneous weekend trips to places I've never been..