Page 11 - Talk of Tequesta - December '21

The Talk Of Tequesta, Page 11

holiday haPPenings

Little Smiles 12th Annual Toy Drive Strives

To Bring More Holiday Cheer To Local Families

In 2020, Little Smiles’ annual holiday toy drive
distributed nearly 10,000 toys impacting over 6,800
families from Palm Beach to Miami Dade counties. The
gifts bring smiles to newborns to 18-year-olds and are
distributed to collection centers for struggling families
to pick up, and directly to Little Smiles’ 32 pediatric
partners that include hospitals with children fighting life-
threatening illnesses, medical day care centers, shelters,
foster care homes and medical support facilities.
“The holidays are a special time of year, especially
for children. We help families who are struggling
financially for a variety of reasons. Our goal is simple,”
said Executive Director Nicole Mercado, “to put smiles
on kids’ faces during the holidays. We give families who is making it easier than ever to donate. Ways to donate
are struggling a helping hand and let kids be kids to enjoy include texting LITTLESMILES to 44321l, shopping
the magic of the holidays.” online from the Amazon Wishlist, dropping off toys at the
Due to the nationwide shortage of toys, widespread Little Smiles’ North Pole, located at Harbourside Place in Florida region. The charity was founded in 1999 by
supply chain disruptions, and labor shortages, those Jupiter or in locations that can be found at littlesmilesfl. local businessman, Paul L. Donohue, who saw a need
considering donating are encouraged to do so as soon as org, throughout Palm Beach County. and inspired the community to bring comfort and joy to
possible. With the need greater than ever, Little Smiles Little Smiles provides year-long support bringing joy children and their caregivers at Palm Beach Children’s
and smiles to the many impacted children, caregivers, Hospital. Little Smiles now partners with 32 pediatric
and families at local hospitals and other facilities. The facilities from St. Lucie to Miami that include hospitals,
organization’s donations provide fun events for children medical day care centers, shelters, foster care homes and
undergoing a variety of hardships. They provide movie medical support facilities. Their mission is to help kids
night, arts and crafts, and comfort foods to stock hospital during difficult times. They provide smiles to children and
pantries. In addition, they fulfill individual needs and their support staff with fun events including movie night,
requests such as providing a toy to help distract a arts and crafts, and snack breaks. They fulfill individual
child after surgery, pajamas to stay extra comfy during needs and requests such as providing a toy to help distract
their time at the facility, or even a cake and a present a child after surgery, pajamas to stay extra comfy during
to celebrate a birthday during their time at one of the their time at the facility, or even a cake and a present
facilities. For more information visit littlesmilesfl.org. to celebrate a birthday during their time at one of the
About Little Smiles Florida facilities.
Little Smiles is a not-for-profit organization operating
in Palm Beach County and the greater Southeast Holiday Happenings on page 12

Heartfelt Welcome to a

World-Class Physician

Introducing Dr. William Kokotos,
Surgical Director, Structural Heart Program

Please join us in welcoming our new Surgical Director of the Structural Heart
Program at Jupiter Medical Center, renowned Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Dr. William Kokotos. Dr. Kokotos brings with him a wealth of surgical
expertise including pioneering the first percutaneous mitral valve repair
while Chief of Cardiac Surgery at NYU Langone Hospital.

The Robson Heart & Vascular Institute at
Jupiter Medical Center provides:

• World-class cardiac care and surgical expertise

• From minimally invasive procedures
to open-heart surgery

• Highly advanced cardiac and
vascular technologies

561.263.3080

WORLD’S
BEST
jupitermed.com/cardiac HOSPITALS
2021
POWERE D BY

Arthur H. Katz, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Medical Director
Cardiac Surgery