THE BIGGEST PARTY CELEBRATING KIDS & ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS! Make 'M Smile- Photos by Michelle Herdlick

Smiles abounded for the 5th year in Hartville, Ohio as Nathaniel’s Hope, Harvestime Apostolic Temple, and the Community joined together to host Make ‘m Smile, the biggest party celebrating kids and adults with special needs!

It was an amazing day where the community came together to celebrate VIPs (kids and adults with disabilities) reminding us all that every life has Value and Incredible Purpose and deserves to be celebrated!!! Hundreds of people gathered together at Hartville Memorial Park to do just that...and help to bring lots of SMILES!

VIPs enjoyed petting zoos, games, lunch, frozen treats, and lots of other goodies! Sharon’s Signers (sign choir) performed “Let’s Go Fly A Kite.” The FISH 95.5 FM once again broadcasted LIVE. Even Nathaniel was on hand to greet VIPs and join the fun! Michelle Herdlick, contributing photographer for Special Needs Living magazine helped capture some special moments of the day and believes that the day communicates an important message to VIPs, “They need to feel included and know that they are appreciated for their abilities and who they are, and this is an event that allows them to feel this way.”

It was an amazing day where the community came together to celebrate VIPs (kids and adults with disabilities)

Resources from the community were also on display for VIP families to learn about helpful services that could benefit their families.

Lena Hartman, a VIP mom, first heard about Nathaniel’s Hope and Make ‘m Smile and wanted to bring it to Ohio and shared the vision with Pastor Ray Smith, lead pastor of Harvestime Apostolic Temple. The church immediately embraced the idea and has since hosted this party in partnership with Nathaniel’s Hope. Pastor Ray says, “Make ‘m Smile is all about hope, bringing a smile and sharing God’s love with people.”

Make ‘m Smile originated 21 years ago in Orlando, Florida to commemorate the birthday of Nathaniel Timothy Kuck, a VIP who moved to heaven at age 4 ½. Since that time, the party has spread to Ohio and Southern California with hopes to continue to expand to other communities around the United States. Be sure to mark your calendar for the 6th Annual Make’ m Smile to be held in Hartville on Saturday, July 13, 2024. To see pictures of this year’s event, visit www.makemsmileohio.org.