1,000 Runners Expected to Give Back to Long Island Kids on Thanksgiving Day
 
(Long Island, N.Y.) Race directors already have 500 pre-registered runners and are prepared for a sell-out crowd of 1,000 for the second annual Smiles Change Lives Turket Trot.  The race is scheduled for Thanksgiving Day morning on the South Shore.  Kid’s fun run begins at 8:45 a.m. with a 1.5 mile walk and 5K run at 9 a.m. Visit www.smilesturkeytrot.org for race map and registration information.

Dr. Frank Egan, a local orthodontist and Smiles Change Lives (SCL) Long Island Program Chairman launched the Turkey Trot in 2008 in order to raise funds to launch this charitable program serving low-income kids who need braces. “I’m a runner and an orthodontist who cares about kids. I wanted to create an annual event for the community to rally around that will raise funds for kids on Long Island who can’t afford braces,” shares Dr. Egan.

“During the holidays, we are all called upon to give back. What is different about the SCL Turkey Trot is that a sell-out crowd will generate about $20,000 in funds for SCL,” adds Christine Egan, Race Director. “This, in turn, means that 80 more kids on Long Island will get braces from one of the nearly 40 participating area orthodontists.” Each person who crosses the finish line on Thanksgiving morning will surely have a smile on their face – because each step they’ve taken gets another local child one step closer to a healthy, beautiful smile with the help of SCL.

The Long Island program currently has 32 slots available, plus the potential for 80 more after the race. Families are encouraged to see if they qualify financially at www.smileschanglives.org/qualify. This program is geared for low-income families with taxable income up to 200% of poverty.  With the current economic downturn, SCL wants to help as many children as possible, so middle class families who don’t typically qualify for any type of assistance are also encouraged to see if they’re eligible. Applications are available at www.smileschangelives.org/apply.

SCL plans to expand into more states/regions in 2010. Email info@smileschangelives.org for more information or to join the mailing list, or join SCL online at www.smileschangelives.org/onlinecommunities to keep up to date on current news and program expansion.

Smiles Change Lives (SCL) promotes and provides access to life-changing, essential orthodontic treatment to children from low-income families. With a growing demand nationwide, our vision is to provide access to braces for all youth suffering from crooked teeth and misaligned jaws.  Since 1997, SCL has created more than 1,200 healthy smiles. With the support of 3M, our official orthodontic industry sponsor, SCL will be able to reach out to even more communities nationwide.