Smile It Forward with Behl Orthodontics

#NiceWork! Dr. Yugal Behl, an orthodontist in Hampton Roads, VA wants all of his patients to have a beautiful spirit and smile. To do so, Dr. Behl recently launched “Smile it Forward,” a creative and generous program designed to give kids who do good in their communities a life changing reward: free braces.  

Even after insurance, braces can cost between $3,000 – $7,000.  For most families, any financial assistance helps.  “I want to pay it forward with this initiative and give deserving kids, no matter their financial circumstances, the opportunity to enjoy the benefits that orthodontics can provide,” explained Dr. Behl.

Dr. Behl has been involved with a similar program called Smiles Change Lives. This wonderful organization helps provide braces for young people who cannot otherwise afford them. Inspired by their work and by the transformations he observes in his patients every day, Dr. Behl decided to create a similar program. “One of my favorite things about being an orthodontist is watching the confidence grow from non-existent before braces to beaming after braces,” says Dr. Behl.  

As part of the financial coverage, Behl’s program requires patients to be active members in their schools and communities. Recipients of the award are chosen based on financial need as well as community involvement. Staff reviews patients’ stories and chooses a winner based on a combination of these factors. Because Dr. Behl helps his patients feel confident with their smiles, it’s only natural for him to encourage them to smile it forward. Behl encourages young people to get involved with local nonprofits, food banks, animal shelters, or any other community organization that works to help others. “The stories that are coming in are so heartwarming,” Brittany Graff of Behl’s marketing team explained to Envision Kindness.

Dr. Behl has been involved with the community since the beginning of his first practice back in 2010 after completing his degree at Boston University. He has always been focused on creating a practice that values compassion. Behl Orthodontics continuously donates and sponsors community events, drives, and school functions. In fact, they encourage community members to reach out to them to request sponsorship on their website for causes that are important to them. They’ve been especially involved with helping military families. By getting involved with Military Bridge, the practice was able to give those who have been involved with the military $1,000 off braces this May. Because the promotion was so popular, they extended through June. Today, Dr. Behl has 8 practices in Hampton Roads, from Yorktown to Chesapeake.

We hope Behl Orthodontics continues to grow, helping kids gain confidence and Hampton Roads communities flourish. Dr. Behl and his incredible staff show us that when businesses give back to their communities, everyone benefits. Thank you, Behl Orthodontics for doing such kind work!

“Be a Blessing to Somebody”

Sometimes, you need to go somewhere where everyone knows your name. For many Memphis, TN residents, Manna House is just that place. A colorful safe haven for community members who are down on their luck, the house provides showers, fresh clothes and a cup of coffee for folks who need some community feels and a pick me up.

Open 3 days a week, the house is run by volunteers. Karen Pulfer Focht, a talented and socially conscious photojournalist who is a frequent contributor to Envision Kindness, was able to catch up with one of them. Almost every Thursday on the front stoop of Manna House, you can find Kirk Whalum, the Grammy award winning jazz artist, giving the homeless a fresh shave and a haircut.

Whalum is a celebrated and sought after artist. On top of winning awards for his solo and collaborative albums, he has been “an in demand session player for top artists like Barbara Streisand, Al Jarreau, Luther Vandross, Larry Carlton, Quincy Jones and most notably, Whitney Houston, amongst many others.”  In fact, the hit song “I Will Always Love You” features his saxophone.

Still, Whalum is a very self-aware man. After reflecting on his own life, he decided that he wanted to do more. He wanted to be a “blessing to somebody.” So, he began blessing the Manna House with his service. Whalum understands what it means to care consciously. An ordained minister, he listens to people, finds out what they need, and responds to the best of his abilities. After speaking with people at Manna House, he realized that people needed shaves and haircuts. So, he dove right in it. Rick Greer, Memphis resident who frequents Manna House, says he is thankful for places like this where he can get cleaned up.  “Us street people…we got to keep our appearances up,” Greer explained.

“We are all in need of care and kindness,” Whalum tells Focht. He strives to be in solidarity with those who he cleans up. That’s why he’s constantly greeting people and making sure they feel welcomed at the center. In Focht’s enlightening interview with Whalum, he speaks humbly about his service. At one point, the man who he is caring for looks up at him. “I appreciate it,” the man says. “You’re welcome, bro,” Whalum responds with a smile.

Thank you, Karen Pulfer Focht, for the beautiful video, still images, and story.

We All Have the Right to Feel Wind in Our Hair

Cycling without age

Cycling Without Age is an international non profit organization that provides the elderly with opportunities to remain active in their day to day lives. Volunteers use trishaws to take their elders on a bike ride that they may not have otherwise have been given the chance to take. Elderly citizens are given the chance to tell their story and relive some of the experiences they had earlier in life.

Christian, the young boy in the video shows us just what being selfless means. He understands that giving to others not only provides kindness to others, but a sense of social responsibility within ourselves. As stated on the Cycling Without Age website, “We are all heading on the same path that our grandparents were on. It is an inevitable journey of life.”

“Without age is the principle of how life does not end at a given age, but instead we can embrace what each generation has to offer through something as simple as cycling.”

 

Video Credit: Mariana Abdalla has a passion in visual arts and her aim is to engage in digital and visual strategic communications.

Pledge to help

SECOND ANNUAL EASTERN CT WALK AGAINST HUNGER

A remarkable moment occurred during the pledge of allegiance before the fundraising walk began. Kids learn from a very young age about supporting important causes, feeding the hungry and helping others.  As they pledge allegiance to the United States, they are also pledging to keep our country strong through kindness and volunteerism.

Over 350 walkers on almost 50 teams participated in this fundraising walk to support the United Way/Gemma Moran food pantry in New London, CT. Together they raised over $25,000 to support the food pantry.

Enthusiasm and smiles are the most common thing that I see in kind people while they volunteer! It is amazing how happy they are, just from the simple act of giving!

Some walkers at the Walk against hunger dressed for the occasion!

For more information, please see below: http://www.uwsect.org/walk

 

Legacy

Kindness can be about just spending time with someone.  In this image, Kassow and Inger Marie talk about time, memory and family. That day, he read to Inger a letter from a distant niece from Wisconsin, where part of her family from Denmark moved many years ago. This was the first time Inger had contact with that part of the family since they left!

Thanksgiving Drive in Connecticut

Christopher is 9 years old and one of several children help out at a 2014 Thanksgiving Food Drive to support the Connecticut Food Bank an Gemma Moran Food Pantry. This is his fourth year doing so and has been making announcements about the Food Drive every Sunday to let people know of the need.  With other boys and girls from the neighborhood, the Food Drive is a great community partnership started 7 years ago by Fountain-Timmons Realty and Tri-Town Foods, and has grown to include the Niantic Rotary, a local car (mustang) club, and radio station 98.7 FM. At this drive, adults, teens, and children collected over 100 turkeys, 7500 pounds of food, $14,000, and more than 2,000 jars of peanut butter! Wow. The slogan on their shirts? Hunger is Curable.

Almost at 3 Gallons!

Brenda has donated almost 3 gallons of blood over her lifetime.  Turns out, that’s critical, because someone in the US needs blood about every 2 seconds; about 44,000 pints of blood across the country each day.  Since blood doesn’t last long after a donation, regular donations of blood are needed for all of the different blood types.  In Connecticut, where these donors were photographed, 120,000 units of blood are needed each year.

Here are some of the people who donated blood on a typical day.  Brenda, with her husband Don, has been donating regularly every 56 days, the minimum time required between donations.  Why does she do it? Because as a child, she needed a blood donation to save her life and she has been returning the precious gift ever since.  “Almost at 3 gallons!” she boasted.  Don, her husband and ex-military, watched his mother do the same for many years when he was a child.  Danielle and her mom, Nancy, as well as Jackie, decided to just do a kind thing and came to donate in response to a call from the Red Cross.  For more info about blood donations, please look here.

It takes a lot of forks and spoons….

It is really hard to imagine that every day around the world millions of people don’t have enough food. Statistics are important but don’t really show the stories of people who need help and the people who are trying to help.  Sometimes, it is best reflected in a single place like the New London Meal Center in New London, CT pictured here.  The New London Meal Center serves more than 73,000 meals in a year and is run by dedicated people with a large roster of volunteers, these organizations are critical to prevent starvation.  For a single meal, about 200 forks, knives, and spoons, lots of cucumbers for the salad, and so much more are needed.  Along with 6-8 happy volunteers (pictured here from Congregation Beth El) working as a team to help the dedicated Center staff.  Beyond the food, however, they provide an easy and natural welcoming to patrons, emphasizing the importance of the human gift of a smile and warm, non-judgmental welcome beyond the nutritional gift to people who are struggling.    Click here to learn more about the New London Meal center or here about hunger in America.