Imago Dei

05/23/2026

🍪 Fundraiser Night at Panera Bread Gastonia NC! 🍪

Join us June 6, 2026 from 4PM - 8PM!

Show this flyer (or use code FUND4U online) to help support a great cause. Every order counts! 💛

Online orders all day = more impact ✨
Tag your friends & come through! 👇

05/23/2026

🍪 Fundraiser Night at Panera Bread Gastonia NC! 🎉

Join us on June 6, 2026 from 4PM - 8PM for a special evening supporting a great cause!

🎟️ How it Works:
Show this flyer (printed or on your phone) when ordering at the counter or drive-thru

Use promo code FUND4U when placing mobile, online, or kiosk orders

Every purchase you make helps support MAKE m SMILE NC!

Important Details:
Online orders placed all day on the event date count toward the fundraising total

Online orders must be scheduled for pickup on June 6, 2026 at the participating location

Bring your friends and family — the more we order, the bigger the impact! 💛

📍 2625 East Franklin Blvd Gastonia NC
🕒 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

05/14/2026

05/11/2026

🎉 MAKE ‘m SMILE – Connect. Support. Make a Difference! 🎉

❤️ Passionate about serving the special needs community?

This is your chance to connect directly with families who need your services the most!

📅 Saturday, August 29, 2026
🕘 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
📍 Caromont Health Park, Gastonia, NC

Become a Resource Exhibitor!

Open to non-profits and for-profit businesses that provide 75% or more of their services to the special needs community.

Showcase your resources, build meaningful relationships, and make a real impact alongside over 125 exhibitors.

Reserve your booth today!

🔗 Register Here:
https://nathanielshope.org/our-programs/make-m-smile/make-m-smile-north-carolina-resource-exhibitors/

💙 Prefer to Sponsor?
Support the event through financial contributions or in-kind donations and reach thousands of engaged families.

👉 Comment “EXHIBITOR” or “SPONSOR” below or click the link above to secure your spot now!

Let’s come together and Make ‘m Smile! 💛

  Are you passionate about serving the special needs community? Join us as a resource exhibitor and connect directly with families who need your support! Resource Exhibitors are non-profit organizations or for-profit businesses that provide 75% or more of their services to the special needs communi...

05/10/2026

🌟 MAKE ‘M SMILE NORTH CAROLINA 2026 🌟

We need YOU to help us create an unforgettable day for children and families in the special needs community!

📍 Caromont Health Park, Gastonia, NC
📅 Saturday, August 29, 2026
🕘 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

This event only happens because of incredible partners like you — businesses, churches, corporations, foundations, and generous individuals!

Become a Sponsor and get:
Your logo featured on all event materials, website & social media

Prominent signage at the venue

Recognition in press releases

Powerful visibility while supporting a truly meaningful cause

Not ready to sponsor? Join us as a Resource Exhibitor if your organization provides 75%+ of services to the special needs community!

Every partnership makes a real difference in the lives of these families.

👉 Secure your spot today!
Click here to register as a Sponsor or Exhibitor
https://nathanielshope.org/our-programs/make-m-smile/make-m-smile-north-carolina-sponsors/

Let’s come together and Make ‘M Smile! ❤️

Tag a business or church that should be part of this special day!

  Our event could not happen without the faithful partnership of businesses, corporations, foundations, granters, churches, individuals – YOU! Sponsors support our event through financial contributions or in-kind donations. Nathaniel’s Hope is an audited 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contr...

05/09/2026

🎉 MAKE ‘M SMILE – The Biggest Party for Our VIPs! 🎉

Get ready for a day full of joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories!

📅 Saturday, August 29, 2026
🕘 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
📍 Caromont Health Park, Gastonia, NC

We’re rolling out the red carpet for our VIPs — kids and adults with special needs, disabilities, chronic illnesses, medical conditions, and incredible spirits! 💙

VIPs = Value and Incredible Purpose! These amazing individuals are the true stars of the day.

What’s waiting for you:
Exciting games & family-friendly entertainment
Beloved characters
Delicious food
Helpful community resources
Endless smiles and pure happiness! ✨

FREE admission for VIPs and their immediate family (parents & siblings).

All extended family and friends are warmly invited to join as Buddies and celebrate together!

This is more than an event — it’s a powerful reminder that every life has value and purpose. Come be part of something beautiful as our community comes together to celebrate our VIPs!

Register here:
🔗 https://nathanielshope.org/our-programs/make-m-smile/make-m-smile-north-carolina-vip/

👉 Tag a VIP family you love 💕
👉 Share this post so we can fill the park with smiles!
Can’t wait to see you there! ❤️

  MAKE ‘m SMILE is a party to honor and celebrate kids and adults with all types of special needs… our VIPs! VIPs are individuals with Value and Incredible Purpose! The event features family-friendly entertainment, games, beloved characters, food, helpful community resources, tons of SMILES...

05/08/2026

🦋 A Beautiful Moment of Remembrance at MAKE ‘m SMILE 🦋

One of the most meaningful parts of our day is the Butterfly Release Ceremony — a special time to honor and remember our VIPs who have relocated to their heavenly home.

📅 Saturday, August 29, 2026
🕘 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
📍 Caromont Health Park

If you have lost a precious VIP (a child or adult with special needs), you and your family are lovingly invited to join us for this touching ceremony. Release a butterfly in memory of your loved one as we celebrate their life, their Value, and their Incredible Purpose.

This is a gentle, beautiful moment of remembrance surrounded by our caring MAKE ‘m SMILE community.

💛 We would be honored to share this time with you.

👉 Register for the Butterfly Release Ceremony here:
🔗 https://nathanielshope.org/our-programs/make-m-smile/make-m-smile-north-carolina-butterfly-release/

Please share this post with anyone who might want to participate in memory of their VIP.

You are not alone. Your VIP will be remembered and celebrated. 🦋

Remembering VIPs One of the special moments at our Make ‘m Smile Festival is when we honor VIPs who have relocated to their heavenly home. If you have lost a VIP, we invite you to release a butterfly in memory of your loved one at our annual Butterfly Release Ceremony.   MAKE ‘m SMILE Butterfly...

05/08/2026

🎉 WANT TO BRING THE SMILES? BECOME A SMILE MAKER! 🎉

MAKE ‘m SMILE is looking for talented, fun-loving groups and individuals from the community to help create an unforgettable day for our VIPs — kids and adults with special needs and their families!

📅 Saturday, August 29, 2026
🕘 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
📍 Caromont Health Park

A Smile Maker is any non-profit group, church, organization, school, or individual who wants to provide non-professional entertainment and spread joy at the event!

We’d love to have you if you are:
High School or College Sports Teams
Church Puppet Teams
Character Groups / Mascots
Drama or Dance Groups
Face Painters
Singing Groups / Bands
Clowns
And so much MORE!

This is your chance to shine, serve, and put huge smiles on the faces of those who need it most! 💛
Not a performer? You can still get involved as a Sponsor or Resource Exhibitor!

👉 Ready to be a Smile Maker? Register here:
🔗 https://nathanielshope.org/our-programs/make-m-smile/make-m-smile-north-carolina-smile-makers/

Tag your church, school, team, or talented friends who would be perfect for this! Let’s fill the day with laughter and joy! 🎨🎤🏀

  MAKE ‘m SMILE will feature friends from across the community coming together to put smiles on the faces of kids with disabilities, our VIPs, and their families! A Smile Maker is any non-profit group, individual, church, organization, or school that provides non-professional entertainment. If th...

05/07/2026

🎉 NATHANIEL’S MARKET – Spotlighting VIP Entrepreneurs & Businesses! 🎉

Join us for something truly special at MAKE ‘m SMILE!
📅 Saturday, August 29, 2026
🕘 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
📍 Caromont Health Park

Nathaniel’s Market is an exciting marketplace designed to showcase and support businesses created by or that employ individuals with disabilities — our amazing VIPs!

VIPs include kids and adults with physical, cognitive, medical, or hidden disabilities, chronic or life-threatening illnesses, medically fragile conditions, or Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).

This is a powerful opportunity to:
Celebrate the talents and abilities of our VIPs
Shop unique products and services
Support businesses that truly value and employ people with disabilities
Shine a light on incredible entrepreneurship in our community!

💛 Every purchase and every visit helps show the world that every life has Value and Incredible Purpose!

👉 Interested in participating in Nathaniel’s Market?
Register here:
🔗 https://nathanielshope.org/our-programs/make-m-smile/make-m-smile-north-carolina-nathaniels-market/

Tag businesses, entrepreneurs, or organizations run by or employing VIPs who should be part of this! Let’s make this market a huge success!

  Nathaniel’s Market is an exciting opportunity at MAKE ‘m SMILE designed to showcase businesses that are created by or employ only individuals with disabilities, our VIPs. VIPS are kids with any physical, cognitive, medical, or hidden disability, chronic or life-threatening illness, and/or tho...

05/07/2026

🎉 WE NEED YOU ON THE SMILE TEAM! 🎉

MAKE ‘m SMILE is looking for amazing volunteers who are ready to serve with big hearts and high energy!

📅 Saturday, August 29, 2026
🕘 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
📍 Caromont Health Park

This full-day celebration honors our VIPs — kids and adults with special needs and disabilities. The event only happens because of hundreds of dedicated Smile Team Volunteers like you!

Volunteer Opportunities Include:
Set-Up & Tear Down
Registration
Parking Team
Serving Goodies
Event Team
Assisting Families
And MORE!

Important Details:
Full-day commitment (not for the faint of heart!)
Assigned position for the entire event
Must be at least 16 years old
Required to attend one in-person training (dates sent after registration)

Your feet may be tired, but your heart will be overflowing with joy! 💛

👉 Ready to volunteer? Register here:
🔗 https://nathanielshope.org/our-programs/make-m-smile/make-m-smile-north-carolina-volunteers/

Comment “I’M IN!” below and tag friends who would be great Smile Team members!

Let’s come together and make this the best celebration yet for our VIPs!

  Volunteers are needed to help plan, set up, and run MAKE ‘m SMILE from start to finish. This role is not for the faint of heart as it involves a full day of serving!  MAKE ‘m SMILE is only made possible because of the hard work and commitment of hundreds of dedicated Smile Team […]