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

LONNY'S
SMILE Lonny's Smile Foundation creates opportunities
for children wiwht congenital heart diseas (CHD)
to forget about their illness and experience the
magic of summer camp, at zero cost to their families 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. 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.

Slide The Smile That
Started It All 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 that red tricycle is so symbolic of Lonny, and why our mission and vision is to create opportunities for children with CHD to enjoy the same experiences as other kids!
How We Help... Lonny’s Smile hosts fundraising events for children and adults such as music, comedy, arts and crafts, and sports events. We also encourage our youth volunteers to host fundraisers as part of our vision to empower young people to make a difference to kids with CHD in their own community. Donate Now trending_flat Our Volunteers... Lonny's Smile foundation is fortunate to have the support of some very giving hearts. Our volunteers are the pillars of the foundation and keep our heart beating. When new volunteers join, we look for skillful and enlightening opportunities for our volunteers so they feel empowered to be a valuable part of the community. If you're interested in becoming a volunteer, we would be honoured to discuss opportunities within our organization that will help explore your professional and personal interests! Learn More About Our Volunteers trending_flat Want to Help? It is the generosity of our community that help us grow and keep giving back to families impacted by CHD. If you want to become a sponsor, host a fundraiser or volunteer within our organization, we would be honoured to discuss further with you. To learn more please take a minute to submit the form which can be found at the bottom of this page.

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 20 Allister Avenue Charitable Registration # 81925 6207 RR0001

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