This matter is near and dear to me. My childhood best friend (Mark) was abandoned by his father and his mother could not take care of him. So, his mother left him at the hospital. I have known Mark since the 5th grade, and we are kept in touch ever since. I remember Mark jumping from one foster home to another. He was never at a foster home for more than a month. In high school I remember picking him up from multiple shelters. It was my understand that as he got older it got easier, however when he was younger it was extremely difficult for him. He still tells me stories of how lonely and scared he was. I remember one day in the 5th or 6th grade; I took a Rubik’s Cube to school for Show-&-Tell. Mark was so fascinated by the Rubik’s Cube that he begged me to give it to him. If I remember he actual cried on the bus ride home. He later told me that he had nothing while living in the shelters. The shelter did have a Rubik’s Cube but he never got to play with it. The older kids would play with the Rubik’s Cube and would not allow the younger kids to touch it. Everything at the shelter was considered community property unless you bought it with you. He played with that Rubik’s Cube forever until he wore out the color stickers. I still remember he use to hide the cube between his belt and tummy. He said if someone tried to steal it, he would know. For some reason or another, he was never adopted. Therefore, I am extremely PROUD of THE SMILE BOX PROJECT and what it is doing to help children. This is an extremely important cause. Any project that can put a smile on children’s faces and make them feel important / loved such as THE SMILE BOX PROJECT deserves to win the 2020 CNN HERO AWARD!
Amazing work! People forget about all the parties involved for helping children get back on their feet after a traumatic event. Thank you ladies for playing a key role in that progress.
This program touched my heart. I like that this non profit has a mission to keep providing these boxes to the programs and shelters.
I absolutely love these ladies! I had the pleasure of meeting them at one of their table events. They are very pationate about their mission. Excited to see where their journey takes them! Stay focused and never give up!
Very effective program with combating mental health anxieties in children associated with entering shelters.
I've had the pleasure of meeting the woman that runs this new non-profit and I must say, they are very hard working and dedicated to their cause. They stand behind what they believe in and will make sure nothing stops them from bringing smiles to children's faces!
We have been absolutely delighted to partner with Smile Box Project and cannot express enough gratitude for what this beautiful organization is doing by providing shelters like ours with boxes filled with goodies to help provide our children a much welcomed distraction on their first night here. It's imperative that children know they are loved and feel acknowledged when so much uncertainty is swirling in their lives - the smile boxes are a perfect touch that shows them they are indeed loved.
Smile Box Project really care about the children and making sure the kids have something to call their own.
SMILE-BOX-PROJECT 09/23/2020
Thank you for your review Milton! It is our pleasure to serve the children of our community! Thank you for your support!
The idea behind this non profit is one that is needed. I worked with abuse children when I lived in Belgium. They came into the shelters scared and without really anything to call their own. This would of been a great organization to have for the kids.
SMILE-BOX-PROJECT 09/23/2020
Thank you Lea!! We are excited to continue to expand and who knows, maybe one day we will reach Belgium =)
When I heard about this program, I immediately wanted to be part of it. The idea that the children get something to call their own on the first night they enter our shelters is amazing! I look forward to seeing the smiles on their faces everytime!
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SMILE-BOX-PROJECT 09/23/2020 Thank you for sharing your story Ahmed! This is exactly why we do this! Your story touched our hearts and reminded us, even when it gets tough...there's a million reasons to keep going =)