Help Save Our CEO!

$1,550 of $20,000 goal

Given by 48 generous donors in around 4 months

We’re on a mission to keep Kelly Dugan employed as SmileDial’s CEO to continue the awesome work SmileDial has been doing!

Nationwide

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Kelly Dugan started SmileDialNZ nearly 3 years ago after his daughter suffered brain damage during birth. Kelly noticed there was support for his child with special needs but there was limited support for other family members. Kelly created SmileDialNZ to support every family member to ensure everyone has a Smile on their Dial. Kelly initially worked full time, helped care for his daughter and ran SmileDialNZ in the evenings, often working until the small hours of the morning. In 2014 he received a private donation that has allowed him to run SmileDialNZ full time for 12 months.

Working from his spare room Kelly has grown SmileDialNZ into a New Zealand wide registered charity that has helped thousands of families and passed on over $200,000 worth of goods, services, financial support and created a community that reaches an average of 30,000 people a week. He has done this while facing the daily challenges his daughter has, challenges his family will always have.

Kelly's work has been recognised with a number of awards including a 2014 KiwiBank New Zealander of the Year "Local Hero" medal, Regional Finalist in the Pride of New Zealand "Community Spirit" Awards (one of only three in the South Island), Peoples Choice Finalist in the AMP "Do Your Thing" Awards (one of five New Zealand wide) and has been nominated for a KiwiBank New Zealander of the Year "Community of the Year Award".

When Kelly established SmileDialNZ he had one rule that is the foundation of all our work, that 100% of donations go to families (not admin, wages or any other running costs, we look for other avenues for running costs). This is where you can help - we are currently looking for funding that will enable Kelly to continue his work full time in 2015. SmileDialNZ is ready to grow with plans for ten Representatives in cities all over New Zealand in 2015, enabling SmileDialNZ to reach more people and help families. We need your help to help Kelly help others.

Please feel free to contact us if you would like information on how to become a major sponsor or have a look at the SmileDialNZ Facebook page to see the work SmileDialNZ does on a daily basis to "Support Kiwi Families Raising Kids With Special Needs".

About us

SmileDial provides support to families who are raising children with special needs or in need of ongoing medical care. SmileDial first started as a support group where caregivers could come together to support each other, vent frustrations and share milestones together.

We have since grown to having almost 1000 members in our support group, and even more registered with us. We now host coffee groups around the country, provide much needed medical and therapy equipment to families, provide advocacy for families, and we have helped make changes in the community to improve accessibility for our members.

Most importantly, we provide mental and emotional support through mental health referrals, by helping our member access councilors and other mental health workers.

SmileDial has been running for 7 years, and we are one of the few charities in New Zealand where 100% of donations that we receive go to the families we support. This includes money raised through our Givealittle pages.

Michelle & Brent on 05 Nov 2014

You are amazing, you have done so much to help families out in need. I really hope everyone donates and keeps your charity going. Good Luck and our best wishes to you. X

$20