About us
The Mio family
We are Amber and Giovanni Mio. We are Brayden's parents. In the weeks after we lost him, our community carried us in a way we will never be able to repay, so we decided to pass it forward instead.
Why we started this
In the first days, people appeared. DoorDash gift cards delivered to our inbox. Neighbors snow blowing our driveway. Envelopes with no name on them. Friends who showed up from out of state who just sat with us and didn't try to say anything wise. None of it fixed anything, and all of it mattered enormously.
We also learned how quickly the practical parts of grief become impossible, funeral costs, missed work, bills that don't pause because your world did. Many families face that alone. We couldn't accept that.
So Brayden's Smile Roars On Foundation became our answer: be the people who show up. Fast, warmly, and with something useful in hand.
Meet the board
Meet the people helping Brayden's smile roar on.
Amber Mio
Director, President & Founder
Amber Mio founded Brayden's Smile Roars On in memory of her beloved son, Brayden, who brought immense joy and love to everyone around him. Following the devastating loss of Brayden, Amber created the organization to honor his memory by carrying his joyful spirit forward through kindness, generosity, and support for families experiencing sudden child loss. As an accountant, Amber also brings her professional experience to the organization, helping ensure that Brayden's Smile Roars On is built on a strong and responsible foundation.
Giovanni Mio
Director, President & Co Founder
Giovanni Mio is Brayden's dad and co founder of Brayden's Smile Roars On. Together with Amber, he created the organization to honor Brayden's memory and carry his joyful spirit forward by spreading kindness and supporting families experiencing the sudden loss of a child. With a background in media and communications, Giovanni oversees the organization's website, social media, and communications efforts, helping share Brayden's story and connect the organization's mission with the community.
Melanie Moon
Secretary
As Brayden's grandmother, Melanie Moon brings a deeply personal connection to Brayden's Smile Roars On. She serves as Secretary and is committed to honoring Brayden's memory by helping create acts of kindness and support for families experiencing sudden child loss. Melanie is a volunteer firefighter and serves as Secretary for the Yantic Fire Department. Her experience in volunteer service and community involvement brings valuable organizational and leadership experience to the foundation.
Lisa Huggard
Director
Lisa Huggard serves as a Director of Brayden's Smile Roars On and is a beloved member of Brayden's family. Her personal connection to Brayden gives her a meaningful perspective on the foundation's mission and the importance of keeping his memory and spirit alive. Lisa also brings a background in social work, with a career dedicated to supporting individuals and families through challenging circumstances. She brings that experience, compassion, and understanding to her work with the foundation and its mission to provide kindness and support to families experiencing sudden child loss.
Alicia Power
Director
Alicia Power serves as a Director of Brayden's Smile Roars On and has a special connection to Brayden's story as the Director of Program and Family Services at his childcare center. Alicia has dedicated her career to supporting children and families. She brings her experience, compassion, and understanding of family services to the foundation, helping Brayden's Smile Roars On create meaningful support for families and continue Brayden's legacy of kindness.
Susan Krolikowski
Director
Susan Krolikowski serves as a Director of Brayden's Smile Roars On and is the grandmother of one of Brayden's first friends. She loved watching the two boys play together and seeing the joy they brought to each other during the time they shared. Recently retired from Bristol Public Schools, Susan brings years of experience in education and a passion for supporting children and families. She is honored to be part of Brayden's Smile Roars On and help carry his memory forward through kindness and support for families experiencing sudden child loss.
Interested in serving on our board or volunteering professional skills, legal, accounting, counseling, event planning? We would genuinely love to hear from you.
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Help another family feel less alone
We're a small family doing this by hand. Your donation is what turns our intentions into kindness in our community and real help for families experiencing the sudden loss of a child.
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