Smiling Kids Launches Birthday Parties with a Purpose Project teaches children the value of charitable giving
	#        #        # Smiling Kids, Inc. is a tax-exempt 501(C)(3) organization. All donations are fully tax-deductible.  Working through established social service agencies, Smiling Kids will provide more than 1,000 presents in 2005. Fully one hundred percent of all donations directly benefit children.  Operating expenses for Smiling Kids Inc. are entirely subsidized through separate, private donations.

Smiling Kids, Inc., a young charity that provides birthday presents to local children and teens in need, announced
today the launch of a grassroots project designed to teach children the value of charitable giving.

“With three young children at home, we attend a lot of birthday parties,” says Karen Sommers, president and co-
founder of Smiling Kids.  “The parties served as a natural platform for telling other families about our charity.  
When a few moms approached me about hosting parties to benefit Smiling Kids, I knew we had to embrace the
idea.”

Last year, Smiling Kids tested the “parties with a purpose” concept with a small number of families who wanted
to make a difference in the lives of others.  Through separate parties in Wayland, Sudbury, and Southboro, the
charity raised nearly $3,000—enough money to provide gifts to 85 children. The average age of the birthday party
host was nine-years-old.

For families, birthdays offer a wonderful opportunity to introduce the idea of charitable giving to their children.  
Dana Bache of Wayland recently hosted a Smiling Kids Birthday Party for her children: seven-year-old Caroline
and nine-year-old Ryan.  “It was quite gratifying to see our children so excited about helping others,” she says.

The “party with a purpose” concept is quite simple: in lieu of gifts for the birthday child, party guests are
encouraged to bring a donation for Smiling Kids.  To streamline the process for the host family, the charity has
designed a complete party kit including blank invitations with Smiling Kids logo and contact information, thank
you notes that can be used as a tax receipt, and note cards that can be personalized by the host child.  Smiling
Kids will also issue receipts to all donors.

Perhaps most important, every birthday boy or girl receives an official “Certificate of Smiles” from the charity to
recognize the child’s valuable contribution to Smiling Kids.

To extend the reach of this grassroots effort, Smiling Kids is looking to identify local birthday party venues and
businesses interested in promoting the concept of charitable giving among children.  Natick-based Planet
Gymnastics, a popular spot for parties, was the first business to officially join the cause.  Les Petits Chefs of
Ashland has also signed on.  To host a Smiling Kids birthday party, or for more information on how businesses
can get involved, visit the Smiling Kids website at www.smilingkidsinc.org.