South Lenoir senior launches Brims of Hope to support local cancer patients

South Lenoir High School senior Riley Hughes is using her hand-painted hat business to support local cancer patients through a new charitable initiative called Brims of Hope.

Hughes started R Anne Brim Co. after participating in a Lenoir County Public Schools entrepreneurship pitch challenge in 2025. As her business has grown, she has looked for ways to give back to the community.

This October, she launched Brims of Hope to raise awareness and offer encouragement to people facing cancer. Throughout the month, Hughes is setting aside a portion of her business profits to support the initiative.

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Brims of Hope has highlighted a local woman each week through its “Brims of Hope hero” recognition, sharing the stories of women in Lenoir County facing breast cancer.

Hughes also made and donated about 20 hats to the ECU oncology and hematology center in Kinston. Each hat came in a bag with a card offering support and encouragement.

Members of Sisterhood in Service, a club Hughes founded at South Lenoir during her junior year, helped assemble the bags.

The initiative has more projects planned. Hughes said Brims of Hope plans to partner with South Lenoir’s Student Council Association to provide hats and other items to local cancer patients. A partnership with Junior Leadership Lenoir is also planned for the end of the month to sponsor chemotherapy care bags.

For Hughes, the effort offers a chance to support a cause that matters to her while involving other students in community service.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to give back to the community that always continues to give to me,” Hughes said.