The impetus for Project Smile began four years ago when Redeemer Lutheran Church and the North Fort Collins Business Association (NFCBA), with the support of Jax Outdoor Sporting, joined together to provide boots and coats for 150 children. This is our fourth year of providing coats and boots to the children at Irish Elementary School, assisting more than 300 children.

After the first successful coats and boots drive, we asked the staff at Irish, “what else can NFCBA do to help?” The response was overwhelming—“dental care”. Because of a variety of tooth ailments, many students were missing classroom time. Many children had never seen a dentist and had cavities. Project Smile, a 501 (C) (3) tax exempt entity, was formed to respond to their need. Project Smile involves concerned citizens, businesses, local dentists, and the Health District to enable our “at-risk” children to receive free dental care. Coupled with the dental care program is a strong preventative program that teaches the children to brush and floss on a routine basis with successful results. The number of children with cavities and severe dental needs has dropped dramatically. Because of vibrant financial support from the community, the program has expanded. Project Smile accepts PSD eligible children throughout the school district for emergency dental care. We receive referrals from Realities for Children, school principals and community members. Our program has expanded beyond Irish to Putnam Elementary Schools. More than 500 children through out PSD will receive dental care in 2009/2010. Our goal is improve dental health with care and an aggressive preventative care program. As a result, these students are spending more quality time in the classroom and less time out of school or in the nurse’s office.

Your support enables us to continue our program. Thank you. You’ve made a tremendous impact with so many children. Your contributions pay for everything from toothpaste, toothbrushes, screenings and fluoride treatments to fillings, extractions and crowns. Additionally, we receive a incredible amount of help from the Health District and local dentists. Many private practice dentists donate their services or accept very low fees. Nevertheless, our per capita cost for care has increased because of our expansion. Care for severe emergency needs is much more expensive than preventative and maintenance care, and we will continue with preventative care as a high priority along with immediate needs.

Your financial support provides us not only with operating funds, but the beginning of an endowment fund. The endowment fund will enable us to leverage our dollars into the future.

ABOUT IRISH:
*91% of students receive free or reduce lunch benefits
*66% are English language learners
*In kindergarten and 1st grade about 50% of the students are native
Spanish speakers.