That’s what thousands of seniors in Ontario wake up to each and every day. Nothing to look forward to, no one to share memories with ... just another empty day. These forgotten seniors could be relatives, friends, neighbours, members of your community. They’ve worked hard all their lives, saved to provide a better future for their families -- and now they’re alone. Occasionally someone remembers to send a card, call or visit for a few minutes -- a small ray of sunshine in an otherwise bleak day.

Is that all there is?

Not if we have our way! We’re Smile Theatre and, for more than 30 years, we’ve been the only charitable company in Canada bringing professional live theatre directly to seniors where they live -- in nursing homes, hospitals, long-term care facilities, seniors’ residences. Each of our original productions contains music because it gives audience members, including those with cognitive impairments, an opportunity to share in the fun.

We create musical shows seniors can relate to ... about subjects they’re familiar with ... taking them back to a time when they were young. After each show, the audience meets with Smile performers to have programs signed and share thoughts, feelings and memories. It’s a popular, heart-warming feature of the Smile Experience.

How can you help? Become our partner in putting a Smile on the face of every vulnerable senior in Ontario. We’ve seen first-hand the difference a Smile performance makes. Sometimes it’s just a tap of the foot or a twinkle in the eye. Often it’s a voice lifted in song and a smile of joy. It’s a chance to forget for an hour that you’re bedridden, lonely or separated from family and friends. It’s a chance to forget aches and pains and enjoy some lively entertainment.

What’s a Smile worth? Your donation helps ensure that seniors today and in the future have joy, hope and fun in their lives. Please give a little to those who gave a lot. Help bring priceless memories to those who need a break in life.

Why We Need Your Help

Each year, we receive hundreds of requests from underserved community groups across Ontario which we cannot currently fulfill. If we had the financial resources, we could offer Smile performances to seniors in every part of the province (and beyond).

There are many community groups who cannot even afford our minimal performance fee. Each season, we subsidize at least 10% of our performances.

Since our performance fees cover only a third of our actual costs, we need funds to continue serving our existing audiences -- many of whom look forward to the next Smile performance even before the last one is over.

Our mandate has always been to ensure that every Smile production is an original Canadian work. We support the ongoing creation of development workshops and playwright commissions to provide our audiences with unique, professional and entertaining performances.

How You Can Help

We raise money one dedicated supporter at a time. Every person, group or company has a distinctive and personal reason for donating to Smile but they all have one thing in common. They want to help us break down barriers and energize the minds, spirits and imaginations of our aging population!

Individuals, groups and employees often ask us what they can do to raise money for Smile Theatre. There are some simple ways to help out.

-- If you hold a regular event like a bake sale, barbeque, car wash, 50/50 draw, garage sale, raffle or auction, include Smile Theatre as the recipient of the funds you raise.

-- Consider us the next time you’re thinking of organizing a bowling or golf tournament. Every donation of $1,000 to Smile Theatre ensures an isolated group of seniors enjoys a wonderful afternoon or evening of live theatre.

-- Dress Down or Casual Days give everyone a break -- your employees enjoy a day without business attire or uniforms and our seniors have a rollicking good time watching a Smile performance.

-- The next time you hold a cocktail reception, birthday or anniversary party, brunch or potluck dinner, ask your guests to donate to Smile Theatre instead of bringing a gift.

-- Give a donation to Smile Theatre to honour the important people in your life. Say thank you to people who have done something special by giving a gift to Smile Theatre -- we will acknowledge your generosity.

-- In lieu of sending cards at Christmas or on another special occasion, send a contribution to Smile Theatre instead.

Every dollar you donate will go to put a Smile on a lonely senior’s face. We keep our overhead and administrative costs low to ensure we can entertain as many seniors as possible every season.

For more information on how you can become a Smile Booster, call Smile Theatre at 416-599-8440 ext. 222, or toll-free at 1-877-262-9894.