Savannah Smiles

02/09/2026

It's been a difficult afternoon for me, I've cried twice over families who are freshly grieving the loss of their babies.

But I realize the incredible gift I've been given to speak Truth into their suffering and pour soothing balm from God's own Words into their wounded hearts!

I've been called to something new, I feel it and I hesitate because it's not an assignment I really want but today is reminding me how incredibly necessary it is and how God has equipped me through my own grief journey to help others.

"Comfort is the one thing you cannot get by looking for it. If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end: if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth - only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin with and, in the end, despair."
-C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

12/12/2025

Legacy GMC reached out again to Savannah Smiles, wanting to give like they have in years past. We wanted to say thank you for the continued support from them and so many in this community.

Support for our ministry in 2025 has been steady and tremendous.

Savannah Smiles has been able to respond to 253 families who requested help with funeral expenses in the loss of their child in this year.

Two of the families we served were residents of Slidell and the loss was sudden and tragic. In both cases, many from this community reached out to us on their behalf and we were able to help with funeral costs as well as emotional support to the families and grief resources.

We are so grateful for the generosity of this community and Legacy GMC. Their desire as a company, to give back to their local community is what makes businesses like this one stand out.

Send a message to learn more

11/14/2025

This week has been another tough one for our small community.

I personally have been so burdened and my heart so heavy for this family who tragically lost their 5 yr. Old son in a horrific accident.

If you live near, then you know, but to protect their privacy, I will not say anymore.

♥️♥️♥️

A family member reached out to Savannah Smiles early Wednesday morning and so did law enforcement who were on scene.

This community was there for us 19 years ago when tragedy Invaded our family and they know the good God has brought from It, by way of Savannah Smiles being equipped to help other families who are blindsided by tragedy.

♥️♥️♥️

The reason for the post Is to let you know that we are prepared to help with funeral costs because of the tremendous support we have from our donors (some of whom are families weve served)

This family has allowed Savannah Smiles to establish a personal memorial link If anyone wants to give towards his funeral specifically.

However, They do not want it on social media so If you are looking for a way to help them right now:

1. Pray for the Indescribable peace and comfort only Jesus can give (and He does give It!)

2. Keep praying

3. If you want to give towards his funeral, you can do that through our website In memory of Carson.

www.savannah-smiles.org

09/24/2025

I just wanted to say thank you to those who have faithfully given to Savannah Smiles this year. So many give regularly and we are so grateful.

In preparing to submit our third quarter report, I have some numbers to share with you.

We've helped 198 families this year so far. While there is much national attention on the death of very public people, quietly we have many in our community mourning losses of their own sweet babies.

We have worked with 48 different funeral homes this year, all meeting us in the middle in trying to help these families.

Though I don't post much, because it's such an intimate ministry, I wanted to be sure to express my appreciation to those who still give.

-Jen

07/16/2025

This "Thank you" is for all of you who give so generously to Savannah Smiles ♥️🦋

Still here, quietly serving grieving families, offering the Hope of Jesus in their darkest time.

05/01/2025

Thank you to everyone who prays for and supports us financially! Here are the families from March and April, I would ask you to add to your prayer list.

Theses sweet babies went to Heaven in March:

Matthew - stillborn
Journie - stillborn
Brysen - stillborn
Mohammed - 9 months
Ja'Siah - 4 months
Seraphina - stillborn
Emmanuel - 2 yrs.
Christopher - 4 yrs.
Siani - 8 months
Kol - 1 yr.
Jahsir - 6 months
Baby Beaulieu - stillborn
Sterling - 8 months
Lennox - stillborn
Janella - 5 months
Araiyah - stillborn
Molly - stillborn

And these sweet babies left for Heaven in April:

Brailyn - stillborn
Shelton - stillborn
Jaliyah - stillborn
Yeshua and Joshua - stillborn
Lily - stillborn
Osman - 2 months
Yerai - 3 months
Samuel - stillborn
Leilani - stillborn
Keyshawn - stillborn
Kevin - 10 yrs.
Kehlani - 11 days
Cassian - 7 months
Adris - lived just 25 minutes
Angelique - stillborn
Jean - stillborn
Chosen - 3 months
John - 1 1/2 months
Jenisis - stillborn
Reja - stillborn

Send a message to learn more

04/07/2025

Once again, to those who give...

...THANK YOU♥️

04/04/2025

What an exciting morning for me. 😊

Let me back up a minute:

Back in February, my sweet friend And sister in loss😔 reached out to let me know her daughter and friends get to participate in St. Peter S.O.U.L. Day which is a time to make items for sale...then take the money they make and give back to a charity of their choice♥️🦋

They chose Savannah Smiles!!

These precious kiddos (this was an opportunity for 7th, 5th, and 3rd graders to participate) took their own time and thought about someone else! *first pic*

🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

Ok...back to today...

I had the privilege of getting to meet and thank and hug these girls. I told them they don't look more like Jesus than when they are serving others!!!

What an incredible attitude to encourage in children♥️

Thank you girls, well done!!

02/24/2025

February is shaping up to be another extremely busy month for requests. This month, Savannah Smiles has received 23 requests for help with funeral expenses for children stillborn to age 6.


Serena - 6 yrs.
Maleek - stillborn
Salome - stillborn
Ca'Miri - 8 weeks
Matthew - stillborn
Ace - 11 months
William - 2 yrs.
Eric - 2 yrs.
Aaron - 15 days
Jahsir - 5 months
Caeli - stillborn
Silah - stillborn
Anthony - stillborn
Oakleigh - 6 weeks
Naseem - 1 week
Adrian - 1 week
Camilla - stillborn
Amarie - 5 yrs.
Vivienne - stillborn
Geovani - stillborn
Simeon - 5yrs.
Karlee - 1 yr.
A'Mira - 3 yrs.

Some of these families are still in the place of deciding on final arrangements, some had family step up and help and we are only sending grief resources.

Please also pray for the funeral directors. They are special people, dealing with death and sadness daily but I think it's different when they have to prepare a child for burial.
One funeral home in particular this month has 3 of these children in their care. I've spoken to the staff there, and it's very difficult.

Thank you for your prayers!! It's more powerful than any monetary gift!!

Jen - Director and Savannah's mom🦋

02/12/2025

I'm in the office responding to requests from families 3 days a week. I try to set some boundaries for myself because this assignment continues to be heart wrenching.

Those of you who pray for us and support us financially so we can keep meeting parents in the darkest place of their lives, I will forever be grateful!

We had 17 requests In January and we were able to help every one of them☹️

Here is a short "thank you" from Cole's mom today. ♥️ (Cole was 37 weeks gestation)

♥️"Thank you again for helping us give him the best possible funeral service, no words can describe how thankful we are." -Brittany

She sent me his picture and he's just so beautiful! Out of respect for them I will not share it but I will say, it brought me to tears, again.

He's so perfect, just looks like he's sleeping.

Oh how I long for the day when death is no more and I'm so grateful that's even a reality!!
Thank you Jesus!!🦋🦋🦋

01/02/2025

UPDATE: Wanting to highlight and thank more friends who have supported Savannah Smiles in 2024.

Amie Vaughn, Kim Muller, Kenneth LaMulle, Jeanie Monti, Robinson Rieger, Jennifer Wascom, Nick Church, Julie Nimmo, Dorothy E Kelly, Jennie Johnsen, Cindy and Paul Mullins, Stephen and Miranda Wickwire, Nicole Dufrene, Loree Mitchell, Rita Sharp, Crystal Schmidt, Lawrence Frieman, Jay Rieger, Leslie Shilling, Dana Rieger, Amy Borne, Desiree Ryan, Suzanne Lynne, Jennifer Lovett, Deborah Sepulveda, Roy Hauck, Alayna Simmons, Bob Meltz, "Tadd" Willcutt, Michael Hebert, Jennifer Simmons, Tim and Kyle Goode, Jim and Diane Baham.

While the world focuses on the horrific terrorist attack that occurred in our back yard, New Orleans, Savannah Smiles is quietly responding to 3 families who have lost their children in the last two days. 😔

No, not on Burbon Street but non the less, important. One mom who was only 23 weeks into her pregnancy, another whose baby girl only lived 11 days and still another whose baby girl lived just 10 days.

Two days in and already the requests outnumber the days.

🦋🦋🦋

I wanted to say a HUGH thank you to everyone who gave last year to this ministry!! We were able to help 317 families who lost their children. 317!!!

We mourn and are heartbroken over the 14 who have died in this violent terror attack, as we should, but all around us, people are silently grieving loss you don't know about!

I'd like to take a moment to highlight those who give monthly/quarterly:💗🎁💗

Kimberly Irby, Hollie Gaines, Tanya Gros, Becky Raiford, Ty Dolese, Ron & Sherry Young, Sherri Johnston, Lisa Franszczak, Kay Dean, Desiree Ryan, SANDY FERACI, Sabrina Molinary, Katie Scharfenstein, Chastity Taveras, Madeleine Gutekunst, Sarah Heil, Kelly Howard, Lisa Simms Hayles, Charlene Taylor, Andy Glasgow, Carissa Muller, Josh Rilette, Karen Glasgow, Nell Wickwire, Roy Hauck, Pam Polit, Loretta Burchett, Carolyn Cronk, Bethlehem Baptist Church of Hickory, and Arty Polo.

Thank you to others who have given this past year as well: 🎁💗
Jay and Elaine Trussell, Frank Kelly, Nick Sharp and national Christian Foundation, The Heavenly Foundation, Slidell Family Homes, Harry Norvell, Jim Michell, Richard VanKirk, Todd Gilbertson, Daniel Bourgois, CDC FBC Slidell, Fran Frederick, Carolyn Ratcliff, Brian Harrison.

On top of the golf tournament, these companies gave last year: Legacy Buick, Agrico, Shell Hero Program and EJ Fielding

Crescent Towing of New Orleans has been a faithful supporter of Savannah Smiles since 2007! We are so thankful for their commitment to what we do.

We're grateful to BCM for their continued support as well as unexpected gifts from groups like the Steel Mimosas

Send a message to learn more

12/04/2024

WOW!

What a night!

Savannah Smiles was chosen to receive an incredible gift from some amazing women last night!
🦋🦋🦋

I listened as two other really important non profits shared what they offer for the community. I thought for sure, someone else was going to be chosen because their missions are so important too.

🦋🦋🦋
It must be hard to decide, but in the end, they read our name as the winner!

I'm never at a loss for words but last night I was.
🦋🦋🦋

I'm so grateful for this community who continues to see value in the difficult work we do, coming along side a grieving family.

🦋🦋🦋
Thank you to the women of Steel Mimosas! It was such a pleasure to meet you last night, and to hear a few of your own stories of loss♥️

Thank you for the generous hearts you all have. They've only existed since 2019 and have listened to over 61 non-profits share their missions and given over $180,000.

What started with just an idea, has impacted so many lives!

Thank you! Thank you! 🦋♥️

-Jennifer Scharfenstein