I will always be a loyal supporter to SF Smiles. Whatever I donate, from socks to furniture, I know that SF Smiles will give back to our community. I had the privilege to volunteer and see first hand the wonderful miracles this organization produces. Chad, his beautiful family, and staff have been furnishing homes, feeding the poor, and giving hope to the homeless for a promising future. 5 stars - All Smiles -7x7 Miles :-)
SFSmiles has been a solid supporter of my non-profit, Spectrum Surf Camps. Chad has been instrumental in getting the word out on fundraising events and procured equipment, 2 longboard surfboards worth at least $500, for free. Without his help, we would not have had a successful 1st year. A wonderful non-profit helping other non-profits!
On the many outings I have made with Chad, I have personally witnessed truck loads of furniture, baby items, clothes and sometimes even food and water being delivered to SF families in need. SF Smiles truly brings smile after smile to families in the community, delivery after delivery! Chad's passion for helping others and his drive to make a difference is heart warming and contagious.
About a year ago, I was moving out of a one bedroom apartment to a single room. I had dressers, bookcases, a couch, and kitchenware that I wanted to donate. SFSmiles made it extremely easy to donate. Chad came and pick up the donations and made me smile when he thanked me for my contribution on FB. I have recommend SFSmiles to several of my friends.
In 2011, Papa Christensen made a special trip out to my home in the Oakland Hills to pick up several large gallons of exterior house paint and bags of clothing, and transported them to various appropriate projects in the city. The work SFSmiles does is heartwarming and extraordinary, spearheaded by Papa's kindness and personableness. Thank you, SFSmiles, for all you do!
SF Smiles, has continued to help the poor at no interest of benefiting from it.
Many organizations call them selves non-proffits, while always taking some share and or collecting from those that don't have the resources to purchase all much needed items.
In junction with private / for profit companies, SF Smiles can continue serving SF with Its motive beautiful purpose.
I strongly recommend any support that can be given for such a great organization, and Its members!
Let's keep SF smiling :-)
Catalina Perez
The core members of SF Smiles have had years of experience figuring out the needs of the many communities here in San Fran. If there is one thing you can do to counteract the gentrification of the city, it would be to support SF Smiles. Families that can barely afford to live here are receiving goods, furniture, schools supply's and Food from SF smiles. Helping SF Smiles means helping long time residents fight the pressure to leave their homes for more affordable but far away housing.
I'm not just a donor, but also a volunteer, I've donated some Items and food, and was interested in what SFsmiles is doing, after watching Chad and his crue of volunteers help so many families and so many Organizations, I decided to help whenever I have time..It's a great charity Because it hands on and no bureaucracy involved, It is %100 efficient. Thank you ...
I have ask sf smile for some donation to our church Centro Evangelistico Esmirna for some
Donation and they have give us more of what we're expecting
And we have bless many family's with the donation
I will like to thank them for all the help.
SFSmiles' founding philosophy and practice puts people, kindness and smiles first. Chad and the SFSmiles team work tirelessly to fulfill the needs of so many community members, and they do so with a dignity and respect that honors both the giver and the receiver. I have gladly given to SFSmiles and seen how deeply they impact our community. SFSmiles is a SFTreasure.
Chad and SFSmiles are lifesavers on both the giving and receiving ends. When my clients learn the many ways their soon-to-be former possessions can benefit others through SFSmiles, they barely hesitate when it comes to letting things go. And then the kindness, swiftness, and non-judgmental grace with which Chad works with anyone I've seen him come in contact with is beautiful to behold. When a nonprofit distributes valuable donations to its clients freely and with a smile every time, it makes you wonder why nobody thought of this concept sooner. SFSmiles lights the kind of path we need more of in this world!
Sfsmiles has always been there when we needed them. Providing computers, food and pretty much whatever we needed. As a non profit ourselves he's given our clients with disabilities tools and a friendly smile whenever they can. Chad can always be counted to drive up in his truck with toys or cool stuff for our clients. We love you chad and everything sfsmiles represents.
It's hard to comment about SF Smiles without speaking about Chad specifically because he is the heart, soul and engine of SF Smiles. As his wife and behind-the-scenes volunteer, I have watched an incredible dream become a reality. I am continually in awe of the work Chad does every week to make other people's lives easier. Each week, new items come into our garage as quickly as he transports items out to families who are struggling to make ends meet. He never tires of making trips across town to help out a mom who needs a crib or a stroller for her baby, or to help a formerly homeless man furnish his new room in an SRO. There is more than enough "stuff" to go around in this city and it's a wonder to witness SF Smiles/Chad keep usable things in motion.
My first time volunteering with Chad we delivered a truck full of household goods to a family (four generations) who had recently lost their home in a fire. The family was filled with gratitude and relief, and it was quite humbling to be a part of brining the comforts of home to a family. SFSmiles brings more than just smiles to the individuals and families they serve. SFSmiles is a community building organization that promotes doing good for fellow community members, in addition, it fosters connections between individuals, groups, and organizations to help build awareness, empathy, and compassion for those who may need some help.
Chad asked if I could help make a delivery to one of the homeless mom's who recently was moved into an apartment. We delivered her a sofa, end tables, lamps, a TV and some baby and kitchen items. The women was 8 months pregnant and had been living on the streets. She was so excited about having a place to live and thrilled with her own living room furniture and a place to sit and relax. She thanked us over and over for everything. When we were leaving we asked if we could give her a hug. You could tell she was a very proud women, but after I hugged her eyes were glassy, and she was trying hard not to cry in front of us. Chad and I were doing the same - but as soon as we got back to Chad's vehicle we both burst into tears. I thought how blessed Chad was that he gets to help so many people every week. but more important how wonderful SFSmiles is and the NUMEROUS people this organization helps.
Sf Smiles is one of the few organizations I donate to. I trust fully its purpose and I am happy to see that my child's things go to people that needs it the most.
SFSmiles is a phenomenal organization. It's mission is to collect and distribute gently used items, from furniture to baby clothes, to those around San Francisco that need them the most. It's founder, Chad Christiansen, is above and beyond the warmest, most fun, compassionate and positive person you'll ever meet. He and his volunteers drive all over picking up items and delivering them to those in need. He documents his pick ups/drop offs and shares with others the smiles that these small donations bring to others. He changes lives. And who couldn't use a smile?
Chad and SF SMILES brought Christmas to the Tenderloin last year! SF SMILES provided all 56 residents with a gifts all their own. To many of the residents these were the first holiday gifts they had received in years. I work as a Social Service director of a non-profit that serves formally homeless adults and feel extremely fortunate to connect my residents to the resources and generosity that SF SMILES offers. A special thanks to all who donate, you are truly making someones day very special in ways you can't even imagine.
SF Smiles is a great organization that helps connect people in need with the things they need. I work at the Pomeroy Center, a recreation center that serves people with disabilities. SF Smiles has partnered with us, and now we come once or twice a month to help organize different donations, such as little toiletry shampoo and lotion bottles donated by various hotels, and repackaging them so that they can be easily used by families. By letting my participants help out, my guys are able to learn new skills, and get to go out into the community.
Chad and his team at SFSmiles have helped and continue to help so many people and families in need by supplying them with furniture, clothes, children's items, beds, toiletries and much more!! No need is too large or too small. Whatever the need SFSmiles is willing to help to have it met. Every day Chad truly changes people lives for the better with his sincere caring and positive energy.
Chad and SFSmiles are making such an incredible impact on the people of SF. By collecting donated personal items, home goods, and furniture donated by generous SF residents, and distributing them to well-deserving individuals and families, Chad is changing lives on a daily basis. I am continually impressed by the lengths Chad will go to to pick up a donation, store it, and deliver it to any part of the city at any time of the day. He truly gleans the most joy from seeing the faces of the people he brings donations to, often furnishing an entire apartment for someone who never dreamed they'd one day have a home. SF Smiles, in the spirit of true community collaboration and cooperation, is a true labor of love and a gift to the people of San Francisco.
Chad and SFSmiles always goes that extra mile to help hundreds of families each year. He has the biggest heart of anyone I have met. Always a pleasure to work with and always wanting to please everyone.
SFSmiles Rocks and Shines with the best of them!
On numerous occasions my family has donated gently used items to SF Smiles. Chad has always been such a joy to deal with from initial contact, to his pick up and the thank you note accompanying the tax donation form. The enthusiasm that Chad and Kim have for SF Smiles and the love for helping those less fortunate is readily apparent.
I no longer feel guilty donating to them as they service all of the other agencies that I would donate to anyway.
I first met Chad (SF Smiles' lovely founder) when he stopped by my flat to pick up some furniture. It was early and he was so friendly that I quickly dropped my early morning grogginess and adopted his happy spirit, it would have been hard not to! What's not to love about a charity that comes to your door and helps you get your furniture down those precarious steps and out that front door? I think every morning ought to be started with exercise and charity; I was inexplicably happy all day :) I was so moved by that first encounter that I e-mailed Chad looking for ways that I could help. He was so accessible, so open to help and new ideas. Since that first morning I've enjoyed learning more about and working with SF Smiles, Chad has a lot of beautiful dreams that need to happen!
Chad Christensen is the Founder and President of SF Smiles -- and in many ways, he *is* SF Smiles. Many other people have said the same thing, with clear admiration for him. He works tirelessly for this organization.
The fact that such a small operation is so well known in San Francisco is a testament to Chad's abilities and commitment. He has loads of energy and the people who work with him (including myself!) are impressed at his friendliness and his drive to do good in the community.
SF Smiles is never short on donations, and they provide an incredibly valuable service that is unique in San Francisco. So many people donate items to SF Smiles -- and so many people need those items -- that Chad and his colleagues are very busy and looking to expand if they can gather enough funds.