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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
A Utah organization is brightening the smiles of people across the nation and that in turn is helping hundreds of children's charities around the world. I'm talking about the Crown Council and the Smiles For Life Foundation.
Founded in 1995 and based in Salt Lake City, the Crown Council is an alliance of dentists from throughout the United States and Canada dedicated to superior dental care and active community involvement. For four months each year, these dentists whiten teeth and ask their patients to write their checks to the Smiles for Life Foundation. In the last five years, Smiles For Life has received more than $14 million and has contributed to over 300 children's charities worldwide.
Through a unique partnership with superstar Garth Brooks and his Teammates for Kids Foundation, 100 percent of the funds raised by Smiles for Life will go directly to benefit needy children with an emphasis on health, education and inner city programs.
Recently, Smiles for Life partnered with Little League Baseball and the Teammates for Kids Foundation to sponsor a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn at the White House.
President Bush started the game by yelling, "Play ball!" More than 40 boys and girls representing teams from the Little League Challenger Baseball series participated. Little League Challenger Baseball was created for children with special needs, and President Bush started hosting Tee Ball games last year. For this particular game, each player was paired with a buddy or pal who helped them hit the ball or travel around the bases. Also attending was the newly appointed "Tee Ball at the White House Commissioner" and baseball great , Cal Ripkin, Jr.
Parents, sponsors and 16 children who lost a parent at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001 cheered from the stands. And after the game, President Bush presented each player with a baseball, and the players and their families were treated to a White House picnic. Yes, there were certainly a lot of smiles that afternoon thanks to the Crown Council and Smiles for Life.
For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
