Little Big Things

By: Peter Madden

Over the weekend, my wife and I attended the Little Smiles “Stars Ball.” And WOW, this is a charity event unlike any other I’ve been to. At the start of the event, outside of the ballroom, there is a red carpet that is roped off, and the hundreds of attendees all have booklets that the kids who are attending autograph as they come up the red carpet. Very much a major award vibe!

But it’s important that I tell you about these kids.

They are facing a combination of major health challenges, some in homeless situations, and more. And for one incredible night, they truly are treated like stars. From hair and makeup, to being outfitted in tuxedos, a fantastic dinner at an off-site location, to a limousine ride to the event, accompanied by a number of huge fire trucks and police cars, sirens and horns blaring. It was incredible to witness!

Too many times, I’ve been to events where the subject matter, whether sick kids or other issues, is kept at a distance while attendees enjoy a nice dinner and some speeches. Sure, there may be a video that plays so folks understand the background of the charity, but that’s it. In the case of the Stars Ball, the kids are literally and figuratively center stage. And trust me, all of the “autograph seekers” were smiling as much as they were tearing up. It was incredibly moving.

There’s a lesson here. Be who you are, and as I often say at the ‘Cat, “show me, don’t tell me.” The amazing Steve Grandizio, the founder of Little Smiles, I’m sure could have made an eloquent speech (and he did), but if that was it, I don’t know how impactful it would ultimately be. By putting the kids front and center and doing so in such a loving and thoughtful way, everyone there walked away, after a supremely fun evening, knowing EXACTLY what Little Smiles stands for.

They stand for the kids, and they stand for empowering them in a way that I’m sure will be a huge memory for them, and a “lift” in times when they need to reflect on the fact that they are stars, that they truly matter, and that so many people have their backs. As I said to Suzanne Mullen, wife of co-founder Jeff Mullen, they will see me every year, and whatever I can do for an organization that really “gets it,” like Little Smiles, I sure will.

Huge congratulations to my longtime friend, the Energizer Bunny meets Superman that is Steve Grandizio, my good friend Jeff Mullen, and the entire Little Smiles staff and Board of Directors. And a big high five to my great friend Jeff Klagholdz for the gracious invitation and for your involvement in such an important cause.

If you’re in the Philadelphia region, I highly recommend you attend next year’s event!