'Smile of Hope' program taking new applications

Soroptimist International of Whitefish is once again taking applications for its “Smile of Hope” dental-care program for women.

The program, now in its fourth year, provides grants of up to $2,000 to qualifying low-income working women from the Whitefish and Columbia Falls areas who are heads of their households and have no access to dental care.

“Our goal is to improve these women’s lives and livelihood by providing this opportunity to improve their dental health and self-esteem,” said Joanie Sorensen, chairwoman of the Soroptimist dental program committee.

To date, Soroptimist International of Whitefish has spent more than $20,000 to provide dental care for 10 patients.

The committee will work with dentists to provide necessary care within the limits of each grant, Sorensen said. In addition to a cleaning, X-ray and plan for restoration and care, each patient will receive a Sonicare toothbrush and education for dental care. Dentists also provide a six-month follow-up examination.

Five local dentists have partnered with the Whitefish Soroptimists in the past, and the program is expanding to include more dentists, she added.

The deadline to apply is July 1.

To be eligible, a woman must:

n Be the primary income earner for her family and demonstrate financial need.

n Be employed and seeking promotion and a higher-paying job.

n Demonstrate a need for dental care.

n Be a nonsmoker.

Application forms are available at the Soroptimist Thrift Haus, 303 First St. in Whitefish, Shepherd’s Hand Clinic (which meets Monday evenings at Christ Lutheran Church), and participating dental clinics. A 200-word personal statement, job verification, financial statements and references also must be submitted.

For more information, contact Sorensen at 862-3669 or email Stephanie Walls at tcswalls@yahoo.com.

Soroptimist International of Whitefish, celebrating its 60th year, is part of an international organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world. The Whitefish club uses all proceeds from its Thrift Haus sales to fund programs such as the “Smile of Hope.”