“Give Water, Give Health” campaign is expected to raise $660,000 to provide clean, safe drinking water to vulnerable populations in Ethiopia.
IRVINE, CALIF. March 22, 2023 – 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, Give Health,” runs April 1 – May 31 and is expected to raise at least $660,000. All funds raised go towards providing clean drinking water to vulnerable populations in Ethiopia 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 over 200,000 people in need in six countries.
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 Ethiopia, over 72 million people are living without basic access to safe drinking water. That’s 68 percent—a majority of the population—in Ethiopia.
Smile Generation-trusted offices are supported by Pacific Dental Services® (PDS), one of America’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.
“As we enter our 15th year of partnership with charity: water, this is a great opportunity to highlight the commitment our teams have to providing access to clean, safe drinking water,” said Carli Kingsley, Sr. Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility at PDS. “Access to clean drinking water is a basic need. We understand the overall impact it has on communities and our overall health. When Smile Generation teams and the communities we serve come together to support this cause, we all benefit, becoming healthier and happier.”
“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. It has been an incredible honor to partner with Smile Generation for the last 15 years and together impact the lives of more than 200,000 people,” 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 16.83 million people.
To find a Smile Generation-trusted dental practice participating in this campaign or make a donation, visit the campaign fundraising website.