To Make A Child Smile Returns With Heartfelt ‘Nudge’

By Emily Weaver
Daily Record of Dunn

ANGIER – A nonprofit that brought smiles to the faces of countless families for more than 16 Christmases deflated scores of supporters when it disbanded in 2022. A struggling economy left behind by a worldwide pandemic took its toll on the To Make a Child Smile Foundation.

Then, its founder felt a “nudge from the good Lord.”

And now — it’s back!

“The decision to bring back the To Make a Child Smile Foundation came from a mix of heartfelt conviction and perfect timing,” said Shelby Blackmon, the executive director of the Angier Chamber of Commerce who sits on the reborn To Make a Child Smile board. Its founder “Gary Hughes felt a strong calling — what he describes as a nudge from the good Lord — and began talking with folks in the community.

The response was overwhelmingly positive. People were excited about seeing the nonprofit come back to life and ready to support its mission once again. It was clear the time was right, and the heart behind it was even stronger.”

The mission to make children smile through shopping trips, goodies, hot meals, food to take home and visits with Santa each Christmas season hasn’t changed. But, Blackmon says, it’s returning this year “with a renewed energy and bigger vision.

“It’s still all about bringing joy to children who need it most, but this time, we’re aiming to reach even more kids and expand the impact,” she said. “Same mission, just stronger, broader, and better than ever.”

Gary and Barbara Hughes created the To Make a Child Smile Foundation in 2006 after an inaugural shopping spree with a few children in 2002 morphed into a full-blown mission helping thousands.

Gary Hughes told The Record that they felt like they had to disband in 2022 after a painful pandemic and its economic aftershock forced the stores they often shopped in to close. But a tug to help never left them. The Hughes now lead the revitalized foundation with eight other board members. 

“We’re incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported To Make a Child Smile in the past — your kindness has truly made a difference,” Blackmon said. “As we relaunch, we’re just as excited as ever and hope the community feels that same excitement too! There’s big work ahead, and we can’t do it alone. We’ll be needing volunteers, so if you’ve got a heart to help and a little time to give, we’d love to have you join us.”

The foundation remains a 501c3 nonprofit.

Donations can be mailed to (with checks made out to) the To Make a Child Smile, P.O. Box 302, Angier, NC 27501. 

“Every dollar goes toward bringing a smile to a child who needs it most,” Blackmon said. “If you’re interested in volunteering or getting more involved, keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities — or reach out to a board member.”

The group celebrated its comeback with a ribbon-cutting at the Angier Chamber of Commerce office June 27.  

“To Make a Child Smile Foundation sincerely thanks everyone who has supported and participated in the past. Without your generosity and heart, we wouldn’t have been able to carry out our mission,” Blackmon said. “You’ve helped bring joy to so many children — and we’re excited to keep that spirit going, together.”

To Make a Child Smile partners with local elementary schools to identify children in need, according to a brochure on the foundation. With the help of many others in the community, the group makes sure the children receive clothes, shoes, toys and food during the Christmas season.

For more information, call Gary Hughes at 919-669-5369.