| Smiling faces everywhere, Buccaneers Football players signing autographs, Clowns walking about, inflatable slides with children bouncing around, the Chick-fil-A cow handing out tasty sandwiches, Santa Claus passing out toys, all the while music is jamming in the background as everyone is having a good time. Sound like a trip to your local dentist’s office? Probably not, well for a group of foster children in Saint Petersburg this was exactly the case.
For the second year in a row, in December Saint Petersburg Kiwanis Club member Dr. Ron O’Neal hosted the annual Project Save-a-Smile at his St. Petersburg office. Dr. O’Neal and his entire team provide digital x-rays, oral exams, cleaning and the placing of dental restorations. Dr. Michael Hess and his staff from Hess Orthodontics examine the children and determine the need for braces. Dr. Hess will subsequently select 2 children to have comprehensive orthodontics performed at no cost to the child. Sullivan Schein’s Kirk Yauger supplied the dental productsz for the event, which provides dental treatment to foster children that have been identified as needy by several community foster children’s organizations.
While waiting for their treatment, the children had an opportunity to play with clowns and jump around on an inflatable bouncy slide and moonwalk provided by a funny business and Sweet Pea the Clown. Breakfast and lunch was provided for all of the children, parents and volunteers by Chik-fil-A and Publix. Outside of the office they were able to improve their football skills on an obstacle course provided by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They also each received an autographed piece of memorabilia from the Bucs. Each child parent and volunteer received a 2006 Project Save a Smile t-shirt designed by Glasure Group and donated by Greg Pierce of Administrative Partners Incorporated. Venturi Productions Ed and Cher Stillo kept the fun going with their great selection of tunes for everyone to linedance to. Santa Claus and presents were provided to all, courtesy of Acme Air Conditioning and Wallace Welch & Willingham. A special surprise to the parents of the children was given by Elaine Fitzgerald of Practically Frivolous, haircuts and makeup sessions. Additional volunteer help was provided by the Saint Petersburg Kiwanis, St. Pete High Key Club, Daryl Brandimore and Jeff Jones.
Project Save A Smile is a nonprofit organization founded by Dr. O’Neal. It’s mission is to provide dental care to foster children that would otherwise be unable to have access to. We pride ourselves in creating an environment that is sure to excite the youth about their oral health and encourage them to continue good habits in the future. “I truly enjoy being part of helping someone redefine their smile. Having the opportunity to help a child potentially realize the importance of oral health is paramount. I’d like to personally thank the generosity of all of our sponsors that made this event such a success for the children.”
Donations to the project can be made through the Saint Petersburg Chapter of Kiwanis: attention Ron O’Neal/ Project Save A Smile. |
