Family's Tragedy Begins Mission to Bring Smiles

Ryan Briere lived only a short time, but in less than three years, he brought much happiness to those around him. 

His mother, Lori Briere, wants to perpetuate that happiness on Ryan’s behalf.

“He was an amazing kid,” she said of her son, who was born during a snowstorm in February 2008. “We used to refer to him as Blizzard Briere.” 

One night, just three weeks before Ryan’s third birthday, the Briere family went to Portillo’s for dinner. Ryan immediately grabbed his hot dog, Lori said. “We never really even sat down to eat,” she said.

Ryan’s older brother, Noah, was the first to notice that Ryan was choking, Lori said. She attempted the Heimlich maneuver on her son, and paramedics were called, but all efforts to save Ryan failed.

Soon after Ryan's untimely death, Lori and Frederick Briere launched the nonprofit Ryan Briere Foundation in their son's memory.

“We firmly believe it was not Ryan’s time to go. We created the foundation to continue Ryan’s work,” said Lori, who lives in Vernon Hills.

That work, she said, entails bringing smiles to others. She shared a story of 2-year-old Ryan warmly welcoming a new classmate at Goddard School. “He would make other people happy, make other people smile. That’s what we’re doing, making other people happy and making other people smile through the foundation,” she said. 

Its first Ryan’s Run fundraiser, a 5K in 2011, generated $13,000 for the foundation, which dedicated the money to continuing education expenses for Goddard School teachers.

Last year, the foundation raised $15,500, which it earmarked for Child’s Voice, a school for hearing impaired children. While Ryan wasn’t hearing impaired, he suffered from many ear infections that affected his speech and hearing until tubes were inserted, Lori said.

This year, Ryan’s Run will benefit Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, where Ryan was born. Lori said she’s working on a multi-year commitment with the hospital, where she hopes to establish a children’s room that bears Ryan’s name.

“It will give them a place to go that makes them feel like they aren’t in a hospital,” said Briere, who envisions it will feature durable, educational activities such as a wall puzzle.

“We want to make them feel that they’re not in such a bad place, because it really stinks to be in the hospital,” she said.

The third annual Ryan's Run event will begin at 9 a.m. Sept. 8 at Century Park in Vernon Hills. The event will include a 5K walk/run, a one-mile family walk, and other activities. 

Registration is not yet open, but the foundation seeks sponsorships from local businesses.

While the walk is the foundation’s primary fundraiser, it also receives financial support from individuals and a local restaurant.

Lori, a Stevenson High School graduate who grew up in Buffalo Grove, has partnered with The Continental, which her parents, Harlene and Jeff Reisin, frequent. Customers of the Buffalo Grove restaurant can dedicate a portion of their bills to the foundation by signing “Ryan’s Book” when they pay their tabs.

To learn more about the Ryan Briere Foundation or to make a donation, visit its website.

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