"One smile at a time"

 This year, on October 5, 2007 we celebrate World Smile Day.  As ever the theme for the day is "Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile." And,  the image that leads the way  is the smiley face.

The very first World Smile Day  took place in Worcester, MA on October 1, 1999. What a celebration it was! State and local dignitaries gathered and read proclamations in support of the day. Another proclamation recognizing the day was read on the floor of the United States Congress and is now part of the Congressional Record, the reporter of the official proceedings of the US Congress. Thousands of Worcester school children created World Smile Day cards that were then delivered to area hospitals and nursing homes. The event became national and even international news.

In 2005, the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation sponsored a “Count the Smiles” contest. More than 1000 people tried to guess the number of smiley candies in a very large vase. The three closest guesses won the opportunity to direct a charitable gift from the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation to the charity of their choice.

In 2006 in Worcester we kept our “Eyes on the Pies.”  The teams gathered at Worcester City Hall Plaza on this day and competed for the chance to direct charitable gifts from the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation to a charity.