The ADA’s Give Kids a Smile access-to-care campaign was honored July 15 with a Summit Award from the American Society of Association Executives, the organization’s highest accolade recognizing associations for their contributions to society through civic and community volunteer activities.
Give Kids a Smile was chosen from among 13 award-winning innovative association programs recognized last month in the ASAE’s Associations Advance America Awards program. Up to six entries in the program are chosen annually to receive the Summit Award, recognizing "the best of association leadership in confronting critical education, safety, human needs and other challenges facing our country."
ADA officials lauded the dentists and other volunteers who made Give Kids a Smile a national success in providing needed care and raising awareness.
"An honor of this magnitude rightfully recognizes the many dentists who volunteer time and service—providing more than a billion dollars in donated care annually—and helps spotlight the needs of underserved children to our legislators and policymakers," ADA President Dr. T. Howard Jones said.
"We can truly be proud of this phenomenal program and the teamwork among members, societies, leaders, staff and our corporate sponsors that made it so successful, and in only its first year," added ADA Executive Director Dr. James B. Bramson.
A panel of ASAE association peers chose this year’s AAA Award winners from a field of more than 100 candidate activities. The programs "embody the work being done every day by associations across the country to better their communities and quality of life," explained ASAE awards committee chair Daniel Fullenkamp.
Summit Award winners will be honored at a dinner ceremony Sept. 30 in Washington.
