This Summer, we have been very lucky to make some very special hats for very special people. One of the most special hats we’ve made in 2020 we made for Miss Braedi LeBleu.

Braedi was diagnosed at 2 and a half years old with high risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). She was a fighter and earned the name, “Super Braedi” with her family, friends, and healthcare providers. With over two years of intense treatment, she is now cancer free and thriving! When she grows up her dream is to be a horse trainer. Braedi’s mom, Bailey LeBleu shared, “She kicked cancer’s butt with a donut in hand and usually a smile on her face. Some days we are all just overcome by how lucky we are to have our precious red headed middle child, cancer survivor, who has been through and taught us so much.”

This year, Braedi was named the Rocky Mountain Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Girl of the Year. As a blood cancer survivor at the ripe age of 8, she is a sweet, grateful, ambitious, and whip-smart.

Our dear friend, Ambassador, and fellow blood cancer survivor Mike Brashear introduced us to Braedi so she could get The Greeley Experience right before we all had to shelter-in-place during COVID-19. This year, Mike is running for Man of the Year in the Rocky Mountain District, and our incredible family of friends and customers have donated over $3,000 to his campaign to raise awareness for blood cancer research, even in the midst of a global epidemic.

Wow, we love our people. Thank you to everyone who donated.

When it came time for Braedi to pick up her custom hat, Greeley Hat Works Owner Trent Johnson thought it would be a good idea to ask our partner, the Miss Rodeo America Pageant to help us make something special for Braedi.

This video was the result. State Rodeo Queens from all over the country sent in their congratulations and encouragement for Braedi. All we had to do was turn it into a video for Braedi to watch, as a surprise, when she picked up her hat.

As an extra surprise, we asked Miss Rodeo Colorado to stop by the hat shop to meet Braedi, take photos, talk to her about the western lifestyle, and she even let Braedi try on her official Miss Rodeo Colorado chaps!

We know Braedi is going to make an excellent horse trainer someday, and we thank Mike Brashear, Rocky Mountain LLS, and the Miss Rodeo America Pageant program to make this special surprise for a very special little girl happen.

Oh, and she loved her new #HATitude®!