Million Dollar Smiles founder and director Anna Lopes with Ahmet Ahmet

Million Dollar Smiles is a grassroots organization that aims to make a personal, positive impact in the lives of children who are ill. Most weekends this summer, Ahmet Ahmet, a sales rep with Sutton Group – Summit Realty in Mississauga, Ont. plans to help build playgrounds in the backyards of sick children. The Sutton office has sponsored two of the playground sets. Ahmet and some of his colleagues participated in the First Annual Million Dollar Smiles Walkathon recently to raise money for teddy bears, other gifts and playgrounds.

“With Million Dollar Smiles, one of the best rewards is making an immediate impact,” says Ahmet. “When we build a playground, 20 to 30 volunteers get together to construct it and have a good time doing the work. It’s a great group of people. When it’s finished, there is a big reveal and we get to see the child’s joy – it’s really an incredible feeling.”