Jamie's Smiles

Jamie’s Smile’ mission is to supply supplemental funding to outstanding programs that benefit special needs children, through grants and other financial means. As a result, we are pleased to announce that Jamie’s Smiles has, for the first time, released two $1,000 grants to help special needs children.

On November 5, 2008, Gretchen Bates presented one grant to Glen H. Peters School. This school serves 300 special needs students ages 3-26 in Macomb County. They are planning on purchasing assistive communication technology devices as well as a special sensory input chair and balance skill improvement walker for their children.

Accepting the check at Glen Peters School are front row: Eve Marshall (Speech), Joey (Student), Nicholas (Student) and back row: Gretchen Bates (Jamie’s Smiles), John Nader (Principal), Kathleen O’Neill (speech), Mark Kast (PT), Kristine Tillman (PT), Pam Uitti (OT)

On November 11, 2008, Ms. Bates awarded the second grant to the Macomb Infant Preschool Program for the purchase of toys, books and feeding equipment for on-site education and training and for loan to special needs children in the Macomb Infant Preschool Program.

Ayla, Maritsa, Danielle and Pedro enjoy the ball pit purchased with a portion of the 2007 Jamie’s Smiles grant

Jamie’s Smiles is a fund created in memory of Jameson Bates. Jamie was born with Down syndrome and passed away from a rare seizure disorder in 2006. His parents, Mark and Gretchen, created the “Jamie’s Smiles” endowment fund to help other special needs children like their son and to raise awareness about the value of “special kids” in our community.