Our Year in Review: The Smile Project in 2024

Regular readers of this blog know that I’m a sucker for New Year’s Eve. Everything about swapping out the calendar and counting backwards to zero. Everything about reflecting on where we are and dreaming about where we might go. But before I get too carried away in my deep thoughts and feelings of the thing, I’d like to share a few highlights from our community in this year. I hope you enjoy this stroll down memory lane.

Here are your favorite Smile blogs from 2024:

1. Infinite Kindness in New York City (January 15)

2. Some Days (November 6)

3. Having Just Lived Together for 6 Months (September 29)

4. Reasons I Know I’m with the Right Person (February 14)

5. To the 1994 Babies (January 10)

We also highlighted nine amazing people and organizations doing incredible work in our #ServiceSpotlight series. Check it out. 

Thank you also to everyone who has engaged with us on social media. Our top five static posts (not including blogs) were: 

1. Celebrating our 14th birthday as an organization on November 9 

2. This check-in collection of photos as we shared the status on our Tangible Challenge blog series

3. This reminder to vote in November… because it always matters 

4. A nonfiction piece about The Smile Project being published in The Canary literary magazine

5. And, a bonus reel about Smile Reminders for my 30th #BirthdayGiveback!

Some of our favorite memories:

1. Cheered for the SPARK Clubs kicking off their ninth consecutive year in August and bringing so much joy and kindness to their communities. Did you see Westminster College SPARK’s sweet Valentine’s Day project?

2. Partnered with local New York City candlemaker, Scent by Heaven, to offer a special candle called “Sunshine & Smiles” created specially for The Smile Project. (Candles still available and ship nationwide for $25)

3. Donated a ton of Chip City cookies to support an ExpandED School event in New York City

4. Sold GOTS certified 100% organic, climate neutral, made with phthalate free inks, and ethically manufactured t-shirts and crop tops to our community. (Shirts still available and ship nationwide for $25)

5. Created a new series for the blog called A Tangible Challenge and attended monthly classes to learn new things 

6. Met with a former SPARK student and current ambassador and discussed The Smile Project

7. Encouraged folks to participate in #30SmileReminders for our #BirthdayGiveback and did a few ourselves (including supporting local businesses and sharing our crafts)

8. Supported our Smile Project Ambassadors—one of which hit 1,000 days of “Happiness is” this year!

9. Celebrated our 14th birthday on November 9 and recognized 13 full years of daily joy. See how Slippery Rock University SPARK celebrated.

10. Shared 365 days of joy. 365 happy moments. 365 positive inspirations

Once again, I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to say thank you to everyone who has cheered us on this year and always. Whether sharing a blog post or managing or participating in a SPARK Club, committing to your own daily joy through our Ambassador program or generally just acting as a sounding board for our bold ideas, we love you and are immeasurably grateful.

May 2024 close with peace. 

May 2025 begin as you want it to.