Smile Network
Spirit’s latest initiative with the Smile Network helps provide free, life-changing surgeries to children born with cleft lips and palates in developing countries.
How is Spirit Dental Involved with the Smile Network?
In 2016, Spirit helped two children, Uziel and Naomi, both from Lima, Peru. The dental insurance company wanted to get involved with this wonderful organization, so they funded two smiles. In just 45 minutes and with $500 per smile, two children’s lives were changed.
Naomi
UzielIn November 2017, Spirit wanted to continue their effort to help support this great cause. Instead of buying individual smiles, they decided to give a little with each application. So, not only was Spirit helping, but the individual who purchased a dental plan was also aiding in these endeavors. Together, plan holders and Spirit were able to raise $2,000 which helped change four children’s lives.
Pictured below, Tom Mayer, founder of Spirit Dental & Vision and Kim Valentini, founder of the Smile Network ringing the gong of success at the Direct Benefits office in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
About the Smile Network:
Smile Network International is a non-profit organization that provides the gift of a new smile through life-altering surgery. Since 2003, the Smile Network has completed more than 70 missions and operated on over 4,000 patients in 11 countries around the world. For more information, please go to smilenetwork.org.
Junior Achievement
Tom Mayer is not just the founder of Spirit Dental & Vision, he also manages the parent company, Direct Benefits, Inc. He's a strong advocate of teaching entrepreneurship; after all, he’s the founder of five companies! His first was a lawn service called, Kid for Rent. But his finest accomplishment has been his non-profit, Junior Achievement. An organization that works with local businesses to create programs that focus on financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship to students in kindergarten through high school.
With these initiatives, it’s clear that Mr. Mayer knows the importance of giving back to the community. "I have long supported Junior Achievement's mission of fostering a culture of entrepreneurship in America," Tom said. A few years back, he presented his small business stories to over 100 4th graders, "their questions were some of the toughest I've ever faced," he exclaims with a grin.
Photo from Junior Achievement’s ‘Biz Town Tour’ where students learn what it takes to run a successful business, manage a checking account and work as a team. Direct Benefits sponsored the Well Center of this kid-sized city which helped teach participants what it takes to run a health-care system
If you want to learn more about Spirit Dental and their involvement with these organizations, check back for big announcements on this page or follow along on our social channels to stay updated. (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).
