Dedicated to supporting their school and wider community, the TJ Send-a-Smile Club uplifts and empowers others by sending smiles and messages of compassion and solidarity. Their mission is to remind people that they are not alone, striving to spread joy, one smile at a time.
Club members actively seek opportunities to build positive relationships with established community groups, such as a local hospital, a veterans’ organization, and elementary schools that serve low-income students. During September’s remembrance of 9/11, they made and sent cards of appreciation to area first responders. Also in September, they wrote words of affirmation to raise awareness for Suicide Prevention Month.
During October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, club members brainstormed ways to make an impact and provide practical and emotional support to patients undergoing treatment at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus. As a result, the club created 100 care packages with carefully chosen items, including a handmade origami crane inspired by the Japanese symbol of hope and healing, along with a handwritten, personal, thoughtful message. Through kindness, empathy, and service, club members strive to ease patients' journeys and inspire resilience. They are also committed to raising awareness about breast cancer through community engagement and educational activities, fostering a network of support and understanding for patients and their families.
In addition to these efforts, the Send-a-Smile team brought smiles and established a relationship with students at a nearby elementary school by sponsoring a Lego collection. They collected $400 worth of Legos from fellow TJ students, repurposed them for the younger students, and provided instructions for Lego projects to encourage creativity and develop engineering skills and interest among the children. The club also collected new school supplies for students in need at another nearby school. Closer to home, club members recognized their TJ bus drivers with special, personalized cards and goodie bags.
The Send-a-Smile Club frequently partners with TJ’s Rotary Interact Club in meeting community needs they can support together, thereby collaborating and fostering relationships characterized by respect, justice, and goodwill. After the devastating earthquake in Morocco, the clubs provided relief to Moroccan citizens through a collaborative fundraising effort. They also sponsored a schoolwide collection to expand access to menstrual products and created a total of 50 care packages for a local women’s shelter.
Another important relationship-building effect of the Send-a-Smile Club’s work is welcoming new club members from the TJ community. By joining together on the club’s many projects, the students work toward common goals of helping others, allowing them to step back from academic stress, and creating bonds and friendships in a safe and positive environment.
In the words of the club’s leaders, “A smile is a universal language of care and connection. Our mission is to share that connection and bring light to those who need it most.”