Since October 2009, the Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton chapter of the national nonprofit foundation Smile for a Lifetime has awarded 22 orthodontic scholarships to young, deserving individuals who, due to financial reasons, have no opportunity to receive braces.

Smile for a Lifetime Foundation’s mission is to create self-confidence, inspire hope, and change the lives of children up to age 18 in our communities in a dramatic way. The foundation’s guidelines dictate that a candidate will be considered if the family’s income is  below the poverty level which normally qualifies the child for Medicaid and/or the free school lunch program.

The 2013 application deadlines are February 15, and October 15. Applications are available at all eight Beaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health sites; the Beaufort, Bluffton, Jasper, and Hampton county health departments; or online at winningorthodonticsmiles.com   under  the  Smile  For  a Lifetime Foundation tab. Applications must be postmarked on or before each deadline to be considered.