Bring Smiles to Seniors, Inc.
About Us
Established in March of 2016, Bring Smiles to Seniors, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves senior communities across the country. Our staff consists of volunteers who are dedicated to supporting seniors in nursing homes and assisted & independent living communities, as well as those that are homebound or participating in elderly nutrition programs.
Bring Smiles to Seniors also runs an extension of the program in Michigan. We are a completely unpaid volunteer-run organization that is currently staffed by six passionate individuals.
Mission Statement
We strive to connect the circle of life by working with schools, civic organizations, employers and individuals to decorate cards for seniors in nursing homes, assisted & independent living communities, and those that are homebound or participating in elderly nutrition programs. Our team hopes to help younger generations understand the importance of remembering those who paved the way for us, while reminding seniors that they are cared for and loved.
About Our Founder
Ron Tyson, our Founder, established this program in honor of his grandmother, Lola Mae, who suffered from dementia. She stayed in a nursing home until she passed away in Okeechobee, Florida in August of 2016. When he visited her, he noticed that many elderly residents did not have any visitors. Also, many did not receive gifts or cards from anyone. Because of this, Ron decided that he wanted to make a difference in the lives of seniors. He founded Bring Smiles to Seniors in March 2016.
Card Angel Donor Recognition
We call our card donors Card Angels because of the many smiles they bring to seniors across the country. We have five levels of recognition for individuals who have repeatedly donated their talent and cards to support our mission. While each and every card angel is important to the work that we do, these individuals have made extraordinary contributions to our program. Our designation of Star Angel Decorator are for those individuals who have decorated >3,000 cards for our program. These are our current card angel honorees:
Blue Diamond Card Angel (>20,000)
Lillian Abrams
Rita Bezdicek
Joy Brewer
Linda Biese
Linda Hanzely
Sharon Massey
Alice Pompilio
Pink Star Diamond Card Angel (>10,000)
Paula Anderson
Beth Arnold
Alma Billmayer
Janet Birdsall
Christine Ramirez-Bittman
Jan DeJianne
Marcia Homa
Dana Jenkins
Maura Johnson
Joan Kinzig
Nancy M.
Michelle Ruelle
Lon Tomokiyo
Diamond Card Angel (>5,000 cards)
Deb Birkholm
Jill Boteler
Cards for Kidz
Cheryl Cameron
Mary Cavalier
Margaret Dahms
Vickie Deffries
Virginia DeLapp
Tess DePalma
Joyce DiFalco
Dawn Duplak
Jencina Elliott
P.F.
Angela Greenfield
Ali Huggard
Michelle Jeanfreau
Debbie Jensen
Tracey Kalz
Diana Lukins
Jill Maxwell
Lynn Miller
Carol Ralser
Denise Sabonitis
Pamela Tetreault
Lori Palano
Laurie
Joan Stramaglia
Barbara Suits
Debra Westermann
Christine Wheeler
Amanda Wollner
Star Angel Decorator
Kim Allen
Liz Beuhn
Kristine Cimmy
Diana Darnell
Shelby Delk
Patty Diane
Genia Geddings
Linda Haber
Danny Hill
Sam Hill
Ginger Howard
Katie Hudson
Leslie Jacoby
Leslie Jenson
Cheryl Laida
Janice Spitko
Molly Spitzer
Morgan Spitzer
Kate Squires
Jennifer Sutliff
Joyce Tietz
Cherryl Vargas
Bernice Wead
Gold Card Angel (>2,500 cards)
Ally Financial
Böhringer Ingelheim Mid West Team
Lea Beard
Jeanette Beisel
Joyce Benedict
Jo Blackford
Vicki Brickner
Sharon Broussard
Diana Carr
Yvonne Collins
Carol Coneeny
Raelynn Corbett
Donna D'Alessandro
Maureen Devos
Ann Donaghy
Lee Ernennen
Nancy Ethredge
Tina Galloway
Genia Geddings
Amy Goossen
Jocelyn Glas
Trudi Green
Gaylene Gray
Mary Jane Grutzmacher
Lisa Harris
Ernie Hendrix
Linda Hersey
Marilyn Hill
Robin Hoff
Ora Jacobson
Ruth Johnson
Bonnie Klasell
Mary Kunzmann
Debbie LaCavera
Cindy Leis
Cindy Lewis - Jaqua
Kandy Litchfield
Sheila Logan
Sue Lutz
Janet Magdziarz
Debbie Mastroto-Bell
Diana Darnell Mitch
Ann Myers
Brenda Oathout
Karren Olaveson
Anne Pfluger
Becky Prohaska
Beth Richardson
Daphne Rogers
Kerri Roup
Sandy Rose
Missy Saucerman
Karen Schaal
Cynthia Sexton
Carol Sheehan
Maria Steck
Kelly Kramer Sikes
Barb Slager
Mary Storvik
Jennifer Sutliff
SF Correspondence Co-op
Tracy Strodl
Barbara Tether
Gail Thompson
Theresa Truax
Betty Trude
Diane Wallace
Thsering Wangno
Kristine Warnke
Silver Card Angel (>1,000 cards)
Leslie Anderson
Diane Andrade
Judy Arbuckle
Tina Bartolo
Beth Bendickison
Jean Black
Martha Bricker
Mary Brooks
Jodi Bouza
Sonya Casteel
Kim Coffin
Susie Cramer
Genia Geddings
Kate Deignan
Cheryl Doyle
Laurie Duncan
J. Eberhardt
Teresa Eby
Lori Erickson
PI Fallin
Michele Ferguson
Tammi G.
Molly Gallman
Linda Gardner
Shirley Gardner
Kathy Gatz
Melissa Gray
Terrie Hammonds
Linda Harlan
Tracy Hawes
Maryann Hayslip
Carol Hemmelgarn
Colleen Herrera
Denise Holmes
Heidy Hooker
Katie Hudson
Randy Hoates Hughes
Randy Hughes
Cindy Inman
Theresa Kanitra
Debbie Kelly
Kathy Kinsey
Evelynne Klein
Cathy Knapp
Marie Lachle-Martin
Sue Ladd
Sara Lawson
Danielle LeFave
Anita Lingenfelter
Sue Lyle
Susan
Karin Macabeo
Tabitha Marie
Sandra Martin
Timmie McErlean
Elaine McCullough
Cathy McDaniel
Wanda Michael
Brenda Miller
Lori Ann Misurda
Tammy Murphy
Cindee Naugle
Mary Ellen Norton
Colleen O'Brien
Jennifer Ouelette
Tamara Ove
Christine Patterson
Sue Pegan
Elizabeth Pinnel
Rita Purcell
Jennifer Reece
Mary Reitan
Amy Reser
Nancy Rhodes
Angie Rigelwood
Nancy Graff Schultz
Sharon Schweitzer
Pamela Seeley
Mary Senn
Denise Shaw
Linda Shoemake
Doreen Smith
Anjean Smits
Sandra Snipes
Ann Marie Bernardo Stern
Danielle Stockford
Jennifer Taylor
Katie Tuimaualuga
Cathy Vande Braak
Cathy Varner
Cheryl Yamashita
Susan Yeingst
Jan Walker
Laurie Walsh
MaryLynn Weller
Connie Wilfahrt
Sandra Wunsch
Michelle Y
The Benefits of Volunteering
Getting Involved: Make This Year Your Family’s Year!
Amanda Henderson, safechildren.info
Did you know that volunteering is good for you? What’s more, engaging with a charitable organization offers benefits to the whole family. Here is how to make this a year that builds your family members as individuals and knits your family closer together as a unit.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
Health benefits. Being involved with a charity and reaching out to help others provides benefits to your own well-being. In fact, according to some studies, there is increasing evidence volunteering is a boon to your health and improves our society on many levels. Those who engage as volunteers experience a reduced mortality rate, improved mental and physical functionality, and lowered risk for depression. Working with a charity decreases your stress levels and enhances your satisfaction with life, adding a sense of purpose to your days. Those who volunteer report increased happiness, improved self-esteem, and a bigger sense of control over life circumstances. It even appears the more time you spend volunteering, the greater your benefit.
Kids, too! Adults aren’t the only ones whose lives improve by doing things outside of themselves. Focus on the Family cites research that found children who volunteer enjoy better self-esteem, enhanced desire to learn, higher levels of motivation, and an improved moral compass. When the experience as a volunteer is positive, children learn that while the work may be challenging, it’s worthwhile and satisfying.
Ties that bind. Connecting with charities as a family offers special benefits. Since volunteering requires communication and teamwork, family members bond. Parents can also enjoy teachable moments that can be hard to come by in other circumstances, and actively demonstrate the value of compassion and generosity.
Responsibility. Children learn basic responsibility from following through on their commitment to a charity. They learn to show up when they say they will, honor their obligation to the best of their ability, and to be pleased with the results of their efforts.
Experience. Volunteering offers opportunities for your children to learn a good work ethic. Also, some experts point out children gain work experience, leadership skills, and networking opportunities. Children can even learn specific job skills which might benefit their future careers.
The power of “one.” Another important message children can gain from volunteering is the impact of one person’s efforts. KidsHealth explains that children see their efforts creating an impact and gain the empowering message that they can make a difference in the world.
Sacrifice and giving. Another great lesson children learn is the principle of sacrifice. They can see the giving of time and effort making a difference, and they can see the benefit when giving items as well. With that in mind, one suggestion is to declutter your home, gleaning gently used items to donate to a charity. Not only does this help a worthy cause, but reduces the amount of “stuff” in your home and helps you stay organized. Consider asking your children to select a special toy or two to give to a less fortunate child. It’s an opportunity for your youngster to learn the value of generosity when you have more than others have. Be sure to lead by example and donate something special of your own.
Community benefits. Engaging with a charitable organization strengthens communities. Agencies and services that use volunteers generally run on little or no income, and rely heavily on support from the efforts of individuals and groups committed to improving the local community.
Volunteering is a terrific way to enhance the well-being of you and your family members while serving your community. Making a charitable effort is not only good for your mental and physical health, it improves your family bond and teaches your children invaluable lessons. Make this your family’s year and spend time giving of yourselves!