Strut Your Smile Event Supports Victims During Domestic Violence Awareness Month
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 11, 2016) – Smiling is one of the easiest ways to boost your mood and health. Among its many benefits, it helps lower stress by causing endorphins to be released and strengthens the immune system by encouraging the production of white blood cells. Victims of abuse are often robbed of their smiles, unable to afford to replace them.
Members of the American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD) at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry are preparing to host the 10th annual Strut Your Smile fundraiser to support their commitment of restoring lost smiles to victims of domestic violence. This event raises thousands of dollars to support care for residents of Lexington’s Greenhouse 17.
“Victims of domestic violence living at Greenhouse 17 many times have trauma to their teeth and jaws or may have been victims of neglect, so they are often times in desperate need of dental care. It's an honor to be able to provide this service for no cost to them. With 100 percent of the proceeds from Strut Your Smile we can, many times, offer victims a new smile," said Beth Goebel, UK Dental student and AAWD president.
Sponsored by White, Greer and Maggard Orthodontics, Strut Your Smile will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Manchester Music Hall in Lexington. A silent auction will take place featuring over 50 items like UK basketball tickets, Lexington Opera House tickets, UK apparel and signed Lady Antebellum memorabilia. UKCD students, faculty and staff will walk the runway during the evening’s fashion show, featuring pieces by Lululemon, Bluetique, Morton James and more.
The master of ceremonies will be UKCD’s Dr. David Thornton. Live music will be provided by UK DMD students Rebecca Rafla and Nate Reuter and UKCD alumni member Dr. Josh Diamond will serve as DJ. Cash bar and food by Ellos Tacos food truck will also be available.
"What I love about the Strut Your Smile event is that it is put on by women to help women. This event, and the dental work we are able to do because of the event, are important. We are lifting women up in their time of need, as well as contributing to their health and future," said Madison Beach, UK dental student and AAWD vice president.
Tickets for the event are available at the door for $15 for UK students who present a current UK Wildcat ID Card or any other current student ID at time of purchase, $20 for UK faculty and staff/non-students, and $35 for couples. T-shirts are available for purchase at event. Parking information for the venue is available here.
MEDIA CONTACT: Olivia McCoy, olivia.mccoy1@uky.edu, (859) 257-1076
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