Our story · A note from Brooklyn’s family

It started with Brooklyn.
It grew with kindness.

A difficult chapter in our daughter’s life became the beginning of something we hope will bring comfort to other children and families.

A moment that changed everything

The heart behind
every little buddy.

On February 27, our daughter Brooklyn was seriously injured after being hit by a city bus. What followed changed our lives—and eventually led to something we never expected.

While Brooklyn received care in Pittsburgh, our family was preparing for a longer hospital stay. In the middle of that difficult time, a handful of little creations from home would become part of a much bigger story.

Brooklyn is the reason this project exists. Her experience is personal to us, and so is the wish at the heart of it: to offer a little kindness to other children going through hospital stays of their own.

Being there for Brooklyn, one moment at a time.

How it began

A trip home. A handful of buddies.

While Brooklyn was receiving care, I made a trip back home to pick up clothes and the other things we needed for a longer stay. Before heading back, I grabbed a handful of our 3D-printed flexi pets.

They were little creations we had already made and had been meaning to do something with. At that point, there wasn’t a big plan behind bringing them along. They were simply something small from home.

Back at the hospital, we asked about donating them to other children receiving care there. The response was immediate: the buddies were a big hit with patients, parents, and even hospital staff.

That moment stayed with us.

During one of the hardest times in our family’s life, these small creations gave us a way to share something hopeful. We wanted that kindness to continue beyond our own hospital stay.

A moment from Brooklyn’s hospital stay in Pittsburgh.

The hospital became part of our family’s everyday life.

Family photographs from the experience that inspired Brooklyn’s Buddy Project.

Some of our early creations, brought along to the hospital.

What it became

Small companions.
A bigger purpose.

Brooklyn’s Buddy Project grew from that experience. Our aim is to provide small flexi pet companions to children in hospitals, sharing a moment of encouragement with families facing a difficult chapter.

We call the companions Brooklyn’s Buddies. Each is a little character with its own personality. The idea is simple: something to hold, a story to discover, and a reminder that someone cares.

We’re building this one step at a time. Before arranging a donation of companions, we’ll work with each hospital team to understand its needs and acceptance requirements.

The next chapter

A little connection, one tap away.

We’re developing NFC-enabled buddies that will open a welcoming character page with a simple phone tap. Each character will have a picture, a short story, and an encouraging message. A QR code or short web address will offer another way to visit.

The character pages are shared by character, with no child accounts or personal details required. The physical NFC tags have not yet been programmed, but you can already meet Bee Buddy and explore the first character page.

You help with materials. We give our time.

Donations will support the direct material costs of creating the buddies. Keystone Web Studios donates all of its time to creating the pets and their software ecosystem.

Brooklyn’s experience inspired this project. Our purpose today is to share these companions with children in hospitals. We’re grateful to everyone who helps that idea grow—by sharing the story, introducing a hospital team, or supporting the materials that go into the next buddy.

Thank you for getting to know Brooklyn’s story and for being part of what comes next.

It started with Brooklyn.It grew with kindness.

The heart behindevery little buddy.