Together, Peter and Tracy have undertaken dozens of trips to Simply Smiles program locations in Mexico and on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation in South Dakota, where they have made a direct impact with their time, energy, passion, and willingness to do absolutely whatever needs to be done. Peter alone has traveled to our locations more than 20 times, where he has done everything from digging trenches to guest teaching. 

Peter and Tracy's support of the financial needs of Simply Smiles has been instrumental to the organization's successes. In addition to their generous personal financial gifts, they serve on the committee for our annual Keep Hope Alive fundraising campaign, which to date has raised more than $6 million for Simply Smiles. 

Through his position on the faculty at Fairfield University, Peter has helped to facilitate student volunteer teams; offer college scholarships for Native American students; organize and lead the La Plant Oral History Project; and made possible opportunities for youth to participate in leadership and academic development programs. 

Peter serves on the board of directors for Simply Smiles, Inc., helping to expand our impact and lead the organization into the future. 

Through their tireless support of Simply Smiles, Tracy and Peter have positively changed the lives of thousands of children. And their own children, Ben, Helen, and Sam, are also dedicated supporters of Simply Smiles.

Please consider making a donation to the Peter & Tracy Bayers Fund for Children in Need in their honor.

It is clear that what we have done for children would not have been possible without Karen. When a need arises, she is often our first call, readily agreeing to open her heart or her doors, to give her time, talent, or energy, or demonstrate a generosity that makes what we do possible. 

Karen helped to create our annual Keep Hope Alive fundraiser for Simply Smiles. Each year, she serves on the event committee, and to date, the events have raised more than $6 million for Simply Smiles. 

Karen served for 12 years as the chair of the Simply Smiles Board of Directors, leading the organization with wisdom and by example. In her final year as chair, she spearheaded the historic transfer of the Simply Smiles Children’s Village to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

Karen has also made a hands-on impact, traveling to our remote program locations both internationally and domestically. She’s built homes for families surviving off of a garbage dump, delivered tons of emergency food aid into the Oaxacan mountains, braved -16 degree temperatures to bring Christmas to Native American children in South Dakota, and made so many children smile.

It is impossible to convey all that Karen has done for Simply Smiles, or the depth and breadth of her positive impact. But she has touched and changed the lives of thousands. 

Please consider donating to The Karen Jones Fund for Children in Need in her honor. 

In 2003, Nancy’s first-grade classroom collected toothbrushes for orphaned children at Simply Smiles’ first program location in Oaxaca, Mexico. And David facilitated his company to donate the organization’s first laptop and desk. They have since supported every initiative and helped fulfill every need Simply Smiles has taken on. Their support has done everything from making children smile with a crisply wrapped Christmas present to building entire homes for foster children. 

David and Nancy’s support of the financial needs of Simply Smiles has been consistent and instrumental to the organization’s successes. In addition to their generous personal financial gifts, David and Nancy serve on the committee for our annual Keep Hope Alive fundraising campaign, which to date has raised more than $6 million for Simply Smiles.

David served more than 20 years on the Simply Smiles board of directors, including as an officer and as a founding member. 

Both Nancy and David have traveled extensively to Simply Smiles program locations domestically and internationally. They have slept in tents, worked in a garbage dump, endured negative 16 degree weather, distributed hundreds of tons of emergency food aid, swung hammers, helped with homework....and have made a profound hands-on difference. 

Without their efforts, without their unwavering support, there would be no Simply Smiles. David and Nancy have changed the lives of thousands of children and made the world a better place for children to live in.

David and Nancy Nurnberger share fully in the legacy of Simply Smiles’ impact. And through pledging the first lead gift to the Simply Smiles Endowment, they have ensured that children will be able to pursue the bright futures they deserve for generations to come.

Please consider donating in their honor.

Sarah and Devin have volunteered at Simply Smiles program locations both internationally and domestically. They’ve given their time and energy to delivering emergency food aid in the mountains of Mexico, to building foster homes, to running summer camps for Native American children, and have created countless smiles on the faces of children and families. 

Sarah and Devin’s support of the financial needs of Simply Smiles has had a profound impact. In addition to their generous personal financial contributions, they serve on the committee for our annual Keep Hope Alive fundraising campaign, which to date has raised more than $6 million for Simply Smiles.

Sarah has also provided extraordinary professional support to Simply Smiles. Through her work and the support of her law firm, she has contributed more than $250,000 in pro bono legal services, helping to strengthen and protect the organization as it has grown. Sarah also has served over a decade on the Simply Smiles Board of Directors, including as Secretary and Vice Chair.

Through their dedication, generosity, and talents, Sarah and Devin have made a profoundly positive impact in the lives of thousands of children.

Please consider donating to the Sarah Westby & Devin Hartley Fund for Children in Need in their honor.

Lisa and Paul Doocy have been dedicated supporters of Simply Smiles since the very beginning, when they helped to collect donations for our 3,000-mile bus journey from Connecticut to the Casa Hogar Orphanage in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Since then, they have volunteered at Simply Smiles program locations both domestically and abroad. Lisa served on our Board of Directors for nine years, and together they have championed every initiative Simply Smiles has undertaken—including hosting an annual Keep Hope Alive fundraiser in their home each spring.

Through the Lisa and Paul Doocy Scholarship, generations of students will have the opportunity to pursue higher education and realize the bright futures they deserve.

Ann and Michael Feinberg have been generous supporters of and dedicated volunteers with Simply Smiles since our founding in 2003. Their time, generosity, and professional experience continue to be invaluable and deeply impactful to the success of our organization.

Ann served on the Simply Smiles Board of Directors for more than a decade, including as chairperson. With a background in education, law, and philanthropy, Ann lends expertise that continues to help shape and strengthen Simply Smiles. Michael, a retired physician, provides thoughtful consultation on medical and public health matters for the communities we serve.

Ann and Michael are tireless champions of our work, including hosting an annual Keep Hope Alive fundraiser in their home each spring.

Through their named scholarship, Ann and Michael are helping ensure that the youth in our care have the opportunity to pursue higher education and build the bright futures they deserve.

Betsy and Peter Van Loon have been devoted supporters and avid volunteers with Simply Smiles since 2013, contributing their time, generosity, talents, and deep commitment at both our Children’s Village in Oaxaca, Mexico, and during past programming on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota.

Betsy’s extensive community engagement has helped build meaningful partnerships in the Farmington, Connecticut area—including with Miss Porter’s School. Through that partnership, young women from the Reservation participated in the Sarah Porter Leadership Institute. 

Peter brings a wealth of leadership experience from both the corporate and military worlds. After retiring as a U.S. Navy Captain serving in Afghanistan, Africa, and across the globe, he built a second career guiding Fortune 500 companies and startups alike. In 2025, Peter joined the Simply Smiles Board of Directors, where he continues to lend his expertise to support the evolving needs of our work.

The Betsy and Peter Van Loon Scholarship reflects their deep belief in community, connection, and the power of education to transform lives.