gifts in action:

Online Smile Drives Deliver During Pandemic

Through our nationwide Smile Drive campaign, volunteers help kids protect their teeth from decay by collecting oral care products for families in need and teaching their communities about the importance of healthy dental hygiene habits.

Our 2021 Smile Drive Campaign Required Flexibility and Creativity

Since COVID restrictions varied by state, some Smile Drive volunteers opted to hold online campaigns to raise funds to support the distribution of toothbrushes to kids in need. Volunteers received access to free digital tools to track their Virtual Smile Drive donations from family and friends. Thanks to a matched giving offer from SmileMakers during National Children’s Dental Health Month in February, online donations made it possible to distribute more than 13,000 toothbrushes.

Two Virtual Smile Drives stood out this year. Jillian Miu of Jericho, New York raised $1,797 during her virtual campaign—enough money to donate more than 5,000 toothbrushes to the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center in New York City (pictured, above). Jillian is part of her school's National Honor Society Chapter and told us, “I proposed this idea as a way to give back to our community. Most of our events this year were virtual, so this was perfect.”

Kristina Hyatt, a Registered Dental Hygienist from Cherokee, North Carolina raised $505 during her virtual drive and opted to split the donation of 1,500 toothbrushes between three organizations, Cherokee Central School, Snowbird Community Health of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and, the B.E.A.R Program in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.

To find out how many dental hygiene products were distributed this year thanks to our awesome volunteers and generous donors, CLICK HERE.


During our 2022 campaign every dollar donated will equal two toothbrushes for kids in need. Volunteers who raise at least $250 can designate a local nonprofit organization or school that receives toothbrushes. To hold your own online fundraiser, visit our 2022 campaign page and click “I Want to Fundraise for This.”

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