Fundraising – a new way to show love this Valentine’s Day

By Ryan Jones

Employees at a local dental office are spreading love this Valentine’s Day by fundraising for a special organization.

Fort Malden Dentistry, located in Amherstburg with 11 employees and three dentists, is hosting its first Share a Smile fundraiser. All proceeds will go to Amherstburg’s Miracle League, a baseball organization that was designed for individuals with disabilities.

The league was created between 2008 and 2010 taking two years to transition from an idea to a built complex. Ann Bondy works in administration and registration for the Miracle League and said the community supports the league.

“It’s for individuals that have disabilities or are unable to participate in a structured league, so this is their way of being able to play baseball on a diamond that is inclusive,” said Bondy. “It’s built for their disabilities, whether it’s a walker or wheelchair or whatever they need.”

Share a Smile is open to the public who can buy Valentine’s Day cards sold in packages of 10 for five dollars with six different designs to choose from.

Lou-Anne Shust has been the patient care coordinator at Fort Malden Dentistry for 10 years and believes it is important to give back to the community.

“Dr. Slipchuk has always been a very avid supporter of the Miracle League in all of their fundraisers,” said Shust. “This was just something that we took on ourselves and something that no one has done.”

Shust said there is no specific goal amount for the fundraiser, but every little bit helps.“This was just one more way for us to give back.”