HUNTINGTON BEACH, California--An Orange County-based charity that puts smiles back on the faces of underprivileged kids in need of orthodontic care is the first charitable organization featured as part of a social media campaign designed to inspire people to get involved with nonprofits.
A documentary-style video profile that features Share A Smile co-founders Mike and Kim Robertson and a few of the participating local dentists and orthodontists who volunteer their time and talents to repair youthful smiles free of charge can now be seen on YouTube at www.shareasmile.com and at www.agendabe.com.
The Share A Smile video is the first of dozens of video “webisodes” scheduled to be produced and distributed online by amateur cyclist Adam Benton, whose brush with death caused him to set aside his career plans to found AgendaBe.
AgendaBe is a nonprofit dedicated to helping charitable organizations tell their stories using social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter.
On July 1, 2011, Benton and a team of videographers left Los Angeles on a 90-day cross-country bike tour scheduled to end Sept. 30, 2011, in Washington, D.C. At each stop along the way, they’ll be producing and posting similar webisodes and other informative and entertaining content. Most of the content will be geared to encouraging people to get involved with charities that inspire them.
“Every charity has a voice, but not every charity has a stage,” said Benton. “By providing people like Mike and Kim Robertson and organizations like Share A Smile with a platform to tell their story and then sharing that message with people around the world using social media, we hope to plant a seed that ignites a movement.”
Added Mike Robertson, founder and CEO of Ocean Media; “Smiles are infectious – unless it is painful or embarrassing to have one. Adam’s ‘Inspire Good Tour’ provides a global stage from which we can talk about the good things Share A Smile does for kids and hopefully inspire people to get involved in our effort, learn about other charities, or share the story of their own favorite cause.”
Ocean Media is an independent media planning and buying agency based in Huntington Beach with an office in Los Angeles.
Like Benton’s effort, Share A Smile was born out of a personal experience. Mike and Kim witnessed the harassment of one of their daughter's friends and decided to get involved. Once they did, it soon became clear to them that they could not stop by helping just one child.
“Most feel-good stories have one of those types of moments,” the Robertsons added. “Once we realized the need, we started the Share A Smile organization. It’s an amazing feeling to be able to help so many of these truly great kids catch a break in life. In doing so we also hope to grow a ‘pay it forward’ mentality in the hearts and minds of those we are able to help.”
Share A Smile launches first fundraising campaign
To be considered for the Share A Smile program, candidates need to be examined by a participating dentist/orthodontist, who then determines whether major dental/orthodontic services are required to correct a severe malformation, misshapenness, or other irregularity.
Applicants must be without dental insurance or have coverage deemed insufficient to pay for the necessary work, during a two-year period. Applications for the current calendar year will be accepted through the end of August.
Among the Southern California dental professionals currently volunteering their time are Dr. Mark F. Maxwell, Dr. Matt Nisco, Dr. Noland Soo, and Dr. Steven P. Underwood. Members of the Share A Smile Board of Directors include Mike and Kim Robertson, Michael Klarin, Stephanie Filipponio, Ron Luebbert, Kristin Ornelas and Clintton Fleschere.
For more information, visit www.shareasmile.com.
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