San Clemente Smile of the Year

Charitable Teacher

As soon as I read about your fantastic contest, I immediately knew the perfect candidate for this great honor-someone both very deserving and in very great need. This letter then, is to nominate my dear friend for the Smile of the Year Contest.

He is a sweet, caring man, who always tries to help other people. he struggled to raise two children alone, on a meager part-time teachers salary. With the bad economy and sever dental problems, he has fallen on very hard times. He’s had to live with severely damaged teeth for over two years now, and has no means to pay for a dentist or any repair work. For more than 2 years, he  has been virtually unable to smile.

After his private teaching jobs dried up, He made a small business out of helping others- assisting charities and civic organizations to produce fundraising events. Some charities he’s helped are High Hopes Brain Injury Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Friends of Santa Ana Zoo, Children with Autism, and he even  helped the City of San Juan Capo with their Summer Concert Series and Christmas Tree Lighting.

Unfortunately, with this terrible economy, most organizations he’s worked for have slashed their budgets and canceled their events. Consequently, his small business has floundered, and he is struggling just to survive. He’s been desperately (and unsuccessfully) searching for work, and so far the only thing steady he could find is part-time online teaching, for minimum wage. No benefits, no insurance of any kind. Basic survival.

Because his teeth are damaged, many aspects of his life has been very negatively affected. Because of the unsightly damage, he is embarrassed to even show his smile. He has lost work involving public contact because of it. It has deeply affected his self esteem and nearly ruined his social life. Perhaps most sadly, due to the embarrassment he feels, he has become isolated from friends and family. Once a singer in church choir, it’s even affected his sing voice. In essence, he has lost the simple joy of a happy smile. This contest would truly be a miracle in his life.

I’m a Respiratory Therapist, and as a medical professional, I am very worried about his dental health. Though he brushes regularly and tries to care for them, he often tells me his teeth hurt, which I’m pretty sure means infection in his gums. I know this can spread to other parts of his body cause many other problems, and could even affect his brain. I know how much he would benefit from being chosen for this incredible opportunity.

In summary- Thank you all for putting on this amazing, life-changing contest! I hope you will give kind consideration to my dear friend. I know he is a very deserving soul, and also how much he needs it. And most of all, what an incredible blessing this would be. I am thrilled to imagine how much confidence and joy it would restore to his life to have his smile back.

With Warm Regards,
His Friend