Through our fundraising efforts, we purchase basic family necessities:  beds and bedding so children do not have to crowd themselves into one bed or, as in some cases, sleep on the floor; dressers so that clothing is not stored in boxes; towels for bathing; dishes, utensils, pots and pans for meals; tables and chairs so families can eat together children have a place to do their homework, and, lastly, couches so the house feels like a home. We believe everything we buy is absolutely essential to raising the moral of these needy families.  With a little help from us, they are being provided with household necessities that would normally be above their reach and this little bit of assistance from us can make the trauma of their displacement somewhat easier. We believe that with simple acts of kindness and generosity, we can empower families to help themselves. We take away the burden of setting up a home so that they can strive and work towards independence.

Secret Smiles is an extremely unique organization. We pride ourselves in our ability to provide the maximum direct benefits that families require. We rely on a select group of organizations to refer families to us. In particular, we work very closely with the St. Luke’s Children and Adolescent Psychiatry Department and the Family Service League of Long Island.  In fact, we were recently honored by the Family Service League for helping more than 70 families and providing more that $125,000 of merchandise to families since 2002.

A common question people ask me is -- who are the families you help?  Many of the families we assist are transitioning from shelters to housing.  Some are striving to achieve employment and job training, while others are struggling to establish a stable home for their children.  That’s where Secret Smiles comes in: we provide items that would otherwise be financially unobtainable to a family.

We would not be able to obtain our goals without all the support and generosity that we have received.  This year our golf outing raised more funds than ever before thanks to the generosity of all our attendees, volunteers, and the incredible donation from Louis Ranieri, who made it possible for 100% of the proceeds to go towards helping families.

There are no words to express my gratitude for all your generosity and support. Whether it is making a donation, putting together a fundraiser, or just getting the word about us-you have made it possible for Secret Smiles to grow and expand to help over 450 families.

As important as it is to help families it is also important for Secret Smiles and me to carry on the memory of Kristy Irvine Ryan.  It has been more than four years since I last spoke with Kristy and I miss her more than words can say. Kristy was tragically killed on September 11^th in the World Trade Center attacks. We’ve continued the organization in honor of Kristy, her smile, her friendship and her generosity. There is truly not a day that goes by that we don’t miss Kristy.  I am comforted in the fact that Secret Smiles is continuing to bring joy and hope to families in need while at the same time honoring my best friend.

Thank you again for your continued support.

Meredith O’Neill Hassett
Executive Director/ Founder