Miles for Smiles 5k to benefit Missions of Mercy
Saturday, October 2, 2010 marks the inaugural Delta Dental Miles for Smiles 5k race to benefit the Missions of Mercy, or MOM Project. The race takes place in Richmond’s Joseph Bryan Park and begins at 7:00 a.m.
All proceeds from the Delta Dental Miles for Smiles 5k will go directly to the MOM Project, which brings free dental care to rural and under-served communities in Virginia. Funding for the MOM Project is critical, now more than ever, since lightning struck the Virginia Dental Association building in late July causing a devastating fire. The organization, which helps to run the MOM Project, lost most of its stored supplies – including dental chairs and vitally important items.
To learn more about how you can register for the Delta Dental Miles for Smiles 5k or support the MOM Project, visit the Delta Dental Miles for Smiles 5k Web site and like “Miles for Smiles 5K” on Facebook. Sponsors for the Delta Dental Miles for Smiles 5k include Delta Dental; Johnson & Johnson; Drs. Schroeder, Stenger, Cole & Gupta; Proctor & Gamble; Mizuno; Road Runner Running Store; and Patterson Dental.
About Missions of Mercy
The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, in conjunction with the Virginia Dental Association and the Virginia Health Care Foundation, has formed a partnership in providing free dental care for the uninsured and under-served populations of Virginia. The Missions of Mercy Project was initiated because thousands of Virginians are unable to obtain dental care despite their urgent needs. One of the largest factors influencing a person”s ability to access dental services in Virginia is geography – specifically, where a person lives. In some rural areas, the ratio may be as low as one dentist to 5000+ individuals.