Our Mission
Helping kids be kids during difficult times
Our Vision
To actively provide and seamlessly connect Nurses, Social Workers, Law Enforcement, and other community partners with the ability to give children within the local community services, items, and experiences that support and uplift kids and their families.
Our Values
- Responsive: Timely response to the unique needs of the kids in our community
- Compassionate: Servicing kids with compassion
- Community: Caring for kids in our community
- Fun/Uplifting: Providing special moments and comfort to kids in need
- Empower: Empower kids and those who care for them.
About Us
A wide range of caregivers help children of all ages who are facing devastating circumstances including terminal illness, abandonment and other trauma. These are children who often spend many nights alone in hospitals, hospice facilities, shelters and temporary homes, and who can be subject to painful procedures and other emotional strains that they are not equipped to handle. The professionals working with them understand each child’s unique situation and how to help them heal, but they often lack the resources and financial support to make them smile.
That is why they turn to Little Smiles, which provides volunteers, supplies and funds to make it possible for them to add joy to the lives of the children they care for.
Little Smiles helps heal hearts and create little smiles by providing gifts and fun activities to children impacted by serious illness, homelessness or tragedy.
Little Smiles believes every child deserves to smile!
Our History
Little Smiles was launched as Videos for Kids in 1999 by a businessman named Chip Donohue, who inspired his family, friends, and colleagues to help him bring joy and comfort to children and their caregivers at Palm Beach Children’s Hospital in West Palm Beach, FL. Initially, Videos for Kids would bring snacks and movies into the hospital to bring smiles to children going through painful procedures and battling illnesses.
The North Carolina Chapter of Little Smiles has been operating in Mecklenburg County and the greater Charlotte region since 2009. Margi Kyle was inspired to launch the chapter after watching her friends and family create little, local smiles in Palm Beach County, Florida.
Now, families, donors, local businesses, and volunteers have helped Little Smiles North Carolina expand services to 8 facilities in the greater Charlotte area.
The organization also has chapters in Western New York and Philadelphia doing the same great work.
Financials
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Our Board
- Margi Kyle, Founder
- Tim Boone, President
- Sharon Washam, Vice President
- Melissa Donahue, Secretary
- Sharyn Alfers, Treasurer
- Connie Burrow
- Jerett DiMarzio