SmileMakers Project

The SmileMakers Project is a support affiliate of the Council on Aging–Orange County. Our organization’s purpose is intended to bring smiles to the faces of over 1600 older persons at holiday time by providing a modest gift, a most rewarding and enriching endeavor for both Guild members and those we serve.

Increasing numbers of older adults in our community have outlived or become distanced from family and friends. This becomes particularly poignant during the highly emotional holiday times. The SmileMakers Guild attempts to address the loneliness by providing older adults at-risk residing in nursing and residential care homes or those living in the community who are referred by care managers or our friendly visitors with a wrapped gift during the holiday season. Our project not only supplies gift recipients with items they request, but helps enhance their lives through a demonstration of caring.

The Council on Aging SmileMakers Guild

• plans and orchestrates fund raisers to support the program
• shops for appropriate gifts
• solicits donations of boxes, wrapping paper, gift tags and cash
• hosts a giant “wrap party/open house”
• delivers wrapped gifts to recipients.

SmileMakers are friendly, sincere, dedicated volunteers. You are invited to attend our next meeting and get to know us. We meet regularly on the second Monday of each month from 12:15 to 1:30 at the Council on Aging office, 1971 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Santa Ana. Please let us know if you plan to attend.

Questions? Call (714) 479–0107, extension 269.

Sincerely,

Hedy Kirsh
SmileMakers Guild President