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In March, we were thrilled to open two brand new Smilezones in Edmonton, marking another significant milestone in our mission to brighten the lives of children and families! One Smilezone was installed at The Little Warriors Be Brave Ranch, a safe haven dedicated to helping children heal from the trauma of abuse. This special Smilezone was made possible thanks to the generous support of Vipond Inc.
The second Smilezone opened at the Stollery Children’s Hospital, a place where children receive world-class care and treatment. This new Smilezone, designed to bring joy and comfort to young patients and their families, was made possible through the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund, an initiative dedicated to giving back to communities in need.
We are incredibly grateful to both Vipond Inc. and the NHLPA Goals & Dreams for their unwavering support in helping create these spaces of hope and healing. Together, we are making a lasting difference in the lives of children in Edmonton and beyond!
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Strollery Children's Hospital
Smilezone Foundation, in partnership with NHLPA Goals & Dreams, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of newly transformed Smilezone spaces at Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. The Smilezone spaces in the hospital’s Pediatric Diabetes Education Centre and the Outpatient Psychiatry program are designed to put a smile on a child’s face and ease the tension of a hospital visit.
Funded by a generous $150,000 contribution from NHLPA Goals & Dreams in celebration of their 25th anniversary, the new Smilezones were officially unveiled this afternoon. On hand for the announcement were Adam Graves (Smilezone Foundation Co-Founder), Marty Walsh (NHLPA Executive Director), Christine Westerlund (Senior Operating Officer, Stollery Children’s Hospital, Alberta Health Services), Zach Hyman (NHLPA member/Edmonton Oilers forward), Corey Perry (NHLPA member/Edmonton Oilers forward) and Jeff Skinner (NHLPA member/Edmonton Oilers forward), along with Stollery family Ashley Rietveld and sons Sebastian and Carrick.
“We are incredibly grateful for the generous donation from the Smilezone Foundation and NHLPA Goals & Dreams. The thoughtful clinic design helps children feel safe, engaged, and comfortable, helping them stay connected to their care and reducing stress during visits,” said Christine Westerlund, Senior Operating Officer, Stollery Children’s Hospital, Alberta Health Services.
Click Here To Read The Full Press Release
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Little Warriors Be Brave Ranch
We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of newly designed Smilezone spaces at Little Warriors Be Brave Ranch in Edmonton! Thanks to the generous donation from Vipond Inc., these newly transformed spaces—the basement in the Mertz Cabin and the dining hall in the Main Lodge—offer a safe, uplifting atmosphere for children undergoing treatment for child sexual abuse trauma. The Smilezones are designed to bring comfort, joy, and moments of happiness to children navigating difficult experiences.
“These Smilezone spaces will make a lasting impact on the lives of the children we support, giving them a place where they can truly be kids and feel safe, engaged, and empowered within our intensive therapeutic setting.”
Click Here To Read The Full Press Release
| | | | Smilezone is Parterning with Cobs Lakeshore | | |
We are thrilled to announce our exciting partnership with COBS Bread Lakeshore! Kevin and his amazing team have been unwavering supporters of the Hockey Helping Kids Tournament for years, and we are beyond grateful for their continued commitment. This collaboration is all about uniting our community in support of the Smilezone Foundation, and we can’t wait to make a lasting impact together.
From May 16th to 19th, a portion of every burger or hot dog bun purchased at COBS Bread Lakeshore will be donated directly to the Smilezone Foundation. Plus, on May 17th, our team will be stationed outside the store, offering free samples and sharing more about the incredible work we do.
Don’t miss out—stop by, enjoy some tasty treats, and show your support for Smilezone Foundation. Together, we can make a real difference!
| | Hockey Helping Kids Tournament - May 24th | | |
We are so excited to announce that this year’s Hockey Helping Kids Tournament is our 10th anniversary! This milestone event is shaping up to be our biggest and best tournament yet, and we have so many exciting new things coming—we can’t wait to share them with you! With your support, we can continue making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and create an incredible experience for the entire community. Let’s make this special anniversary one to remember!
Is your business interested in becoming a sponsor? Reach out to Lisa Le for more information or visit our website to learn more!
We are currently looking for silent auction items and would be grateful for any donations, whether merchandise, services, or experiences. Your generous support will help fund Smilezones and provide exposure to a supportive community of local leaders, families, and players.
If you're interested or need more information about sponsorship packages and silent auction, please contact Lisa Le at Lle@smilezone.com or 905-951-2978 ext 306.
Check out our 2024 Hockey Helping Kids Tournament and stay tuned for some special surprises!
| | Valentines Day Cookie Decorating | | For Valentine's Day, we had a great time decorating cookies with the Woodview Mental Health and Shining Through Autism Center. Woodview Mental Health offers support to individuals and families dealing with mental health challenges, providing programs and resources to help improve well-being and resilience. Shining Through Autism Center focuses on empowering children with autism through personalized programs that foster social skills, communication, and independence. This event brought together members from both centers, creating a fun and inclusive environment where everyone could celebrate the holiday in a creative and meaningful way. | | Smilezone x Toronto Rock Charity Game | | |
Smilezone x Toronto Rock Charity Game Night will be held on Saturday, March 22nd, at 7 pm at Paramount Fine Foods Centre (5500 Rose Cherry Pl, Mississauga, ON L4Z 4B6)
The theme of the night will be Marvel Superheros! Come support Smilezone Foundation and watch an action-packed game of the Toronto Rock Vs. Philadelphia Wings. All the proceeds from ticket sales and 50/50 raffle sales will be donated to the new Smilezone installment at Everymind Centre in Mississauga, ON!
EveryMind delivers mental health services to infants, children, youth, young adults
(up to age 25) and families in the Peel Region. Their services include assessment, treatment and education delivered by experienced mental health professionals. Each child, youth or young adult’s treatment plan is customized to address their individual needs and be responsive to their unique life and family circumstances.
| | Join the Toronto Rock 50/50 Volunteer Team | | |
Want to be part of the action and help make a difference? We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help sell 50/50 tickets at Toronto Rock games! Spots are filling up quickly we need a few more volunteers for the February 14th, April 11th and April 18th games!
Ready to jump in? Contact Lisa at LLe@smilezone.com for all the details and to fill out the application. We can’t wait to have you on board!
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Requirements:
- Must be 18 years and older
- Have access to transportation to and from the Paramount Fine Foods Centre (Mississauga, ON)
- Provide a copy of a valid government ID (driver's licence, health card or passport)
- Operate electronic 50/50 technology
- Collecting funds and distributing 50/50 tickets to buyers
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Friendly, outgoing and calm demeanour
- Ability to work well in a small group
- Comfortable learning and using new technology
- Basic math skills
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To find out more, please visit
www.smilezone.com
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