Slide About Lonny's Smile Gallery Our Team Donate Donate Lonny's Smile Our Team Gallery About Lonny's Smile Lonny's Smile

LONNY'S
SMILE Lonny's Smile Foundation creates opportunities
for children with congenital heart disease (CHD)
to forget about their illness and experience the
magic of summer camp, at zero cost to their families LONNY'S SMILE CAMP
OKI Lonny's Smile helps send kids with special
hearts to Camp OKI, Canada's premier
summer camp for children living with heart
disease. CAMP OKI ABOUT
CHD CHD stands for Congenital Heart Defect
and is the most common form of birth
defect. CHDs are present at birth and can
affect the structure and overall function
of a baby's heart. With modern advancements
in health care many CHDs are treatable and
children can go on to live long and healthy
lives. CHD stands for Congenital Heart Defect and is the most
common form of birth defect. CHDs are present at birth
and can affect the structure and overall function of
a baby's heart. With modern advancements in health
care many CHDs are treatable and children can go on to
live long and healthy lives. ABOUT CHD

Slide Lonny’s Smile Foundation honours the memory of Lonny Brent Doerksen, the brother of Lonny’s Smile Chair and Founder, Tamara Doerksen. Lonny passed away in 1971 at the age of five at SickKids Hospital after surgery to correct a congenital heart defect (CHD). Lonny always had a huge, infectious smile on his face. And although his heart defect prevented him from doing many of the things that other kids take for granted, he felt like any other kid when he was on his red tricycle. That's why we named our Foundation 'Lonny’s Smile’, why our logo includes his tricycle, and why our mission and vision is to create opportunities for children with CHD to enjoy the same experiences as other kids! Our Volunteers: Lonny’s Smile is very fortunate to be run entirely by volunteers. Our volunteers are the pillars of the foundation and keep our heart beating. We are always looking for new volunteers to join our team. If you or someone you know is interested, reach out to info@lonnyssmile.org. Want to Help? It is the generosity of our community that helps us grow and keep giving back to families impacted by CHD. If you are interested, you can help by:
  • donating
  • becoming a volunteer
  • attending an event
  • hosting a fundraiser
The Smile that
Changed it All The Smile that
Changed it All

Slide "Our Lonny’s Smile story began with my brother Lonny's prized red tricycle. I founded Lonny’s Smile to honour Lonny's memory, and so that other kids with CHD could feel just like Lonny did when he was on that red tricycle." Tamara Doerksen chair and founder, Lonny's Smile “ Slide “Volunteering at Lonny’s Smile Foundation has been an honour throughout the years. Helping children with CHD while building a strong community and challenging the barriers is what our Lonny’s Smile family is all about! I came for the cause, but stayed for the community and I hope to continue to help building our community and make even greater impact!” Ailya Jaffry Vice Chair, Lonny's Smile “ Slide “As a Camp OKI alumni, I couldn't wait to get started with Lonny's Smile. I know how impactful this special place is for children with CHD and Lonny's Smile plays a big role in making it all happen! ” Laura Vanderpluym Digital MArketing Coordinator, Lonny's Smile “ Slide “Volunteering at Lonny's Smile not only gave me the opportunity to work with a group of dedicated, caring and fun loving individuals but it also provides a sense of fulfillment for me, knowing that I am using some of my spare time to make a difference in a child's life.” Kerisha Morris Pink Event Planner, Lonny's Smile “ Slide “Knowing how beneficial and memorable the summer camp experience is to childhood, I am pleased to have been part of the team that has made that real to kids with CHD since Lonny's Smile inception in 2011” Jim Simpson Treasurer, Lonny's Smile “ Slide “I met Tamara about ten years ago, and quickly realized that she's a force of nature. When she asked me to be an ambassador for Lonny's Smile I said yes immediately - it is her life's work and her greatest passion, and I knew that together we'd be able to achieve great things for kids with congenital heart disease.” Murray Foster Ambassador, Lonny's Smile “ Slide “Volunteering with Lonny’s Smile gives me the power to change lives. It gives our youth hope and readies them to take on the world. We have a very passionate team here who care about the CHD community. It never ceases to amaze what can be done.” Robin McLaughlin Event Planner, Lonny's Smile “ Meet Our Team / 0{{total_slide_count}} 0{{current_slide_index}}

Slide Help us Send Kids to Camp! Donate Now 416-418-1757 info@lonnyssmile.org Charitable Registration # 81925 6207 RR0001 Charitable Registration #81925 6207 RR0001

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