The Humanitarian Foundation:
Official Charity of the Grottoes of North America
“The Humanitarian Foundation believes that children with special needs should live as fully and independently as possible. We are passionately committed to helping alleviate the suffering and improving children’s quality of life by providing dental care for those who otherwise might go without, One Smile at a Time.”
Members and Friends can give in these extraordinary ways...
The Humanitarian Foundation is the official charity of the Grottoes of North America. Created in 1949 by the Supreme Council of the Grottoes of North America, the Foundation conducts the Dental Program for Special Needs Children for the Grottoes.
Prophets (Grotto Members) and their friends are encouraged to help continue the work with children who have cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, mental retardation, Down syndrome, and organ transplant by supporting the Enchanted Lantern Society, Fairchild Society, and Legacy Society.
For more info on how you can donate to the Humanitarian Foundation, please visit: Members & Friends Donation Opportunities
Meet the Dr. of Smiles
The Dr. of Smiles—Grotto volunteers– are key to the operation of the dental program within the Humanitarian Foundation. They are the Grotto representatives in the community who work with families, dentists, and the Humanitarian Foundation to ensure that special needs children receive the dental care they need.
The local Grotto is very important to the dental program as they sponsor the individual child into the program.
To learn a little more about our representatives and their work, please watch the video below to see this year’s honoree.
The Toothbrush Program
The Toothbrush Program allows Grotto Members and their Ladies to interact with the public to introduce the Grottoes of North America and their charitable endeavors. Toothbrushes are distributed in a public area where the members have an opportunity to talk and explain what the Grotto is and what they do. Donations are gratefully accepted, and Enchanted Lanterns are issued to the Grotto for the funds deposited. The donations are placed into the charitable trust and used to help fund the Dental Care for Children with Special Needs program.
A complete manual on organizing a Toothbrush Day is available through the Humanitarian Foundation office. Aprons are available for use with the program; they are washable and can be used at various times and functions. They have been printed with a picture of a Fez, an Enchanted Lantern, and “Grotto Prophets Support Dental Care for Children with Special Needs.”
Toothbrushes are provided to you by the Humanitarian Foundation. ALL donations received are to be sent to the Humanitarian Foundation office, and the Grotto will be credited with Enchanted Lanterns. At the end of the Grand Monarch’s year, these lanterns will be included in the number of Enchanted Lanterns donated by your Grotto.
Posters are available for you to use to promote your event prior to the date. Place them in high-traffic areas in your community. Immediately after the event, please file a report with the Humanitarian Foundation office along with a picture or two that can be displayed on the website or possibly in the Grotto Magazine.
*FREE – Toothbrushes provided
*FREE – Posters provided
*FREE – Toothbrush Day Manual Free
*Aprons are $6.50 each
To place an order to sponsor a Toothbrush Day, call the Humanitarian Foundation office at 614-933-0711, fax your order to 614-933-0481, or email an order.