Give Kids a Smile® night at Chase Field

Sometimes, it’s about more than just winning the game.

ATSU-ASDOH partnered with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Arizona Dental Foundation (ADF) for a game on September 26 to benefit the Give Kids a Smile® Care program, and in the process, sent 130 East Valley Boys & Girls Club kids for a night at the ballpark.

Close to 400 tickets were sold to the game through a special promotion on the Diamondbacks’ website and at the ATSU campus. A portion of each went directly to the Give Kids a Smile® Care program, which provides needed dental care to underprivileged children at ATSU-ASDOH’s dental clinics in Glendale and Mesa. Money raised through ticket sales and event sponsorships totaled just over $23,000.

“We feel honored to have had the opportunity to collaborate with the Arizona Dental Foundation and the Arizona Diamondbacks on this fantastic event. We are especially thankful to our sponsors, whose donations will provide dental care to the children who so desperately need it,” said ATSU-ASDOH Dean Jack Dillenberg, D.D.S., M.P.H. “Being able to provide tickets to the game for children from the Boys & Girls Club and personally hand out toothbrushes and meet some of the children and their families was a real treat!”

“This event was a great way to kick off our ongoing efforts to raise funds for the Give Kids a Smile® Care program, which will provide year-round support to underprivileged children who need dental care,” he said.

Before the game, Dr. Dillenberg joined ADF Chairman of the Board Greg Pafford, D.D.S., and other event representatives and sponsors on the field to be recognized. The Diamondbacks also donated a suite where ATSU leadership, sponsors, representatives from the ADF, and students gathered to enjoy the game. The Diamondback players were able to do their part in making it a special evening, pulling together an 8-5 win against the San Diego Padres. Diamondback fans even came home with a Mark Reynolds bobble head.

ATSU-ASDOH has partnered with ADF for the last four years by providing care annually at Give Kids a Smile® Day at the ASDOH Dental Clinic – the largest Give Kids a Smile® event in the state. This second phase of the program will provide the means to take care of underserved youth’s dental needs year-round.

“It has always been frustrating watching many of the kids leaving an event and knowing they need additional dental care,” said ADF Executive Director Ginger Froncek. “It is such a relief to know that this unique partnership will offer East Valley kids a dental home and a reason to keep smiling.”

Event sponsors included Brown & Brown Insurance, the City of Mesa, Colgate, Core Construction, Great Western Bank, Henry Schein, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, and Wells Fargo Bank.