Campaign is expected to raise $600,000 to provide clean, safe drinking water to vulnerable populations in Uganda.
IRVINE, CALIF. April 1, 2022 – Smile Generation® and its nationwide network of trusted dental practices has launched a two-month fundraising campaign to support charity: water, a non-profit organization that brings clean, safe drinking water to people in developing countries. The campaign, “Give Water. Make Someone’s Life More Beautiful.” runs April 1–May 31 and is expected to raise at least $600,000. All funds raised go towards providing clean drinking water to vulnerable populations in Uganda through the construction of community-owned, sustainable, and safe water sources built to last for generations.
Smile Generation has proudly partnered with charity: water since 2009 to fund water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs for rural communities around the world. The collective efforts from Smile Generation-trusted dental practices have brought clean drinking water to nearly 200,000 people in need in six countries. In Uganda, over 21 million people are living without basic access to safe drinking water. That’s 51 percent—a majority of the population—in the East African country.
According to charity: water, 771 million people in the world live without clean water, nearly one in 10 people worldwide. The majority live in isolated rural areas and spend hours each day walking to collect water for their family. Not only does the time walking for clean water keep children out of school and parents out of work, but the water can also be contaminated and often carries diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio, according to the World Health Organization. In addition, half of the world’s population is expected to be living in water-stressed areas by 2025.
Smile Generation-trusted offices are supported by Pacific Dental Services® (PDS), one of the country’s leading dental support organizations. Smile Generation connects consumers to trusted dentists who are dedicated to providing an exceptional patient experience and advanced clinical care. It also provides financial choices for patients and education about the connection between oral health and overall health, or what PDS and its supported practices call the Mouth-Body Connection®, while also working to be a force for good in the communities it serves.
“We’re passionate about charity: water’s mission to provide clean drinking water to people around the globe,” said Kyle Guerin, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at PDS. “For 14 years, Smile Generation-trusted dental practices have been partnering with charity: water to raise money for clean drinking water because we understand how vital clean drinking water and sanitation are to the overall health and wellbeing of each person.”
“We are thrilled to once again be joining hands with Smile Generation to rally their network and bring clean water to communities in developing countries,” said Scott Harrison, CEO of charity: water. “We believe that when a community gains access to clean, safe drinking water, it changes everything. People are healthier, dignity is restored, and they can live prosperous, more beautiful lives.”
Founded in 2006, charity: water has funded water projects in 29 countries around the globe - in Africa, Asia, Central and South America–serving 14.76 million people. To find a Smile Generation-trusted dental practice participating in this campaign or make a donation, visit the campaign fundraising website.