San Clemente Smile of the Year

Stoked Surfer

brad — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:41:24 +0000

I am a forty year old father of two and owner of a surf camp. I have a strong passion for surfing, and I love stoking people out in the water. Watching a person who has been paddling their heart out finally catch the rhythm of the ocean and stand up on a board…being able to show a person another way of life is what I strive to do. Surfing has been a staple in my life since I was born, my dad surfs, my friends….but the truth is anybody who can swim can surf. Unfortunately, being stoked doesn’t always amount to being paid. I cannot complain though, I am blessed to have two healthy daughters, and a wonderful wife…but I do not however have wonderful teeth. After years of no dental insurance my smile could use some major work. To be honest giving speeches and interacting on such a personal level with parents and children can be a source of tension for me. I would be so grateful for an opportunity to fix my teeth….to make my smile a little easier to share.

Smiling Sister

San Clemente Smiles — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:55:41 +0000

I like to smile. I brush as good as I can, but it is hard for me to brush as good as my sisters because of my disability. My dad took a big pay cut at work and paying for whitening and braces is hard for my family right now. I want to have a pretty smile like Ann-Marie.

I hope this is o.k…I’m not the best writer..

Happy Home Owner

brad — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:55:39 +0000

Oh, oh, pick me, pick me! I need lots done on my front teeth, just bought a new place, been saving for that, now I’m a bit house poor for awhile. New smile work is on my list, but probably won’t get it done for at least another 18-24 months on my own.

Hopeful Bride

brad — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:50:19 +0000

Years ago, after braces, bonding, re-bonding, and what seemed like hundreds of filled cavities, I became an adult. I’m 34 years old now. My boyfriend and I are talking about getting married. All I can think about is that white dress and my teeth. I haven’t had a job that has included dental insurance; couple that with my fear of the dentist, and living check to check, I haven’t had any work done on my teeth in years. My bonding, on my top and bottom front teeth, is so old and discolored I wish I’d never had it done. And every so often someone will say “hey, you’ve got black stuff in your teeth.” To which I reply, “Oh crap, I ate a handful of pepper earlier. Thanks.” And remind myself to never show my teeth. It would be a dream come true to be chosen. Quite seriously, a dream.

Loving Marine Wife

brad — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:45:19 +0000

This nominee deserves it because she is a hardworking and loving mother of two and a Marine wife that is always putting her family first and always putting her dreams on hold for her family. She is the most amazing person I know and for a kind heart like hers I believe no one deserves it more than her. She has had some insecurities because of her dental problems and because financially she always fears that even spending that money on her might be much needed for something that her family needs. So I believe that she deserves it because for the beautiful person she is inside she ought to have a beautiful smile that she once had before.

-Sister-in-law

Humble Business Man

brad — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:40:02 +0000

This nominee is the kindest, most humble man I know. I often wonder if his humble nature is due to his bad teeth, he practically winces in pain whenever I compliment him.

Immigrating to San Clemente from Italy in 1987; He soon married and had a son. The marriage ended and I joined the family in 1999. We parent our son as a team and are very close to this day.

He worked at his Uncle’s business- as a repair man until 2008 when he opened a recycling business. Barely making ends meet every month, He never gives up on his dream of being a successful business owner, helping our planet and providing enough income so I can see my dream of being a mom finally come true.

His battle with bad teeth may have kept him from experiencing a certain level of success, but it did not keep him from receiving the love he deserves.

Sincerly,
His wife

Little League Coach

brad — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:35:49 +0000

This Nominee has been a San Clemente resident for many years. He has raised three sons now aged 25, 23 and 21 in San Clemente. He was on the board of directors of San Clemente Little League and coached the championship winning teams for 9-10 year olds and the 12 and over. He was part of the community as his kids grew up locally. He has been a masonry contractor throughout the state and has spent much time working with the City of San Clemente in its building and re-development departments through the years. He has always had a warm smile and kind word and it is now we hope he can receive some kindness in return. Due to health and other issues his teeth were damaged and many lost. It is important for him to stay in business and remain a part of the community but he cannot raise a smile like he used to with his missing teeth. He has much to share with his generous personality and depth of knowledge in his industry, it is important if at all possible to restore his self esteem and bright smile so he can once again feel whole. It is very difficult to socialize and network at any level with no smile! He is so deserving of help, it would be helping a man who has spent much of his life helping others around San Clemente. Thank you for your consideration.

Written for and on behalf of this nominees friends.

Single Smiling Mother

brad — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:00:08 +0000

I would like to win smile of the year so that I can smile:) I lost my husband almost 9 years ago September 11 and I have 3 kids 1 still at home, I have always worked for my kids. Six months ago my daughter paid for a dentist in San Clemente to cap my four top front teeth and it was about 3,000.00, those four teeth are the only teeth in my mouth that look good. It made me so happy but at the same time very sad to know that I could never afford the rest. I am single and very pretty but I cannot smile, please consider me.

Jenny

Charitable Teacher

brad — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:55:52 +0000

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

Outgoing Salesman

brad — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:38:56 +0000

I would LOVE to smile and I want to have teeth worth showing. I’m an outgoing salesman who would be a great spokesman for your business. I never thought I’d last this long so I didn’t take real good care of my choppers. Over the years, I have deteriorated my enamel with broken teeth and what molars I have left from grinding my teeth in an effort to show a nonexistent pronounced jaw line. Plus tons of STRESS! I know there are probably people more deserving but hearing about this contest and with info from another dentist telling me the damage would run over $25K to fix, I decided to give it a try. I’m hoping for an early fiftieth birthday present! It’s been a tough decade financially and I don’t see a way to pay for that kind of treatment without some kind of windfall. Thanks for the opportunity! PLEASE help me San Clemente Journal readers, PICK ME – PICK ME!