Meet the Founders
Identical twin sisters Ashley and Breanna Bolliger share a passion for giving back. As the founders of the Healthy Smiles Club, these McMaster University graduates, with honours Bachelor of Science degrees in Kinesiology, have turned their compassion into action. They’ve dedicated themselves to improving oral health awareness and accessibility within the Hamilton community, fostering a student-led initiative that has grown steadily since its launch in 2021.
How it all started
The Healthy Smiles Club was born from a simple yet pressing realization: many members of the community were struggling to meet their basic needs, and oral hygiene was often overlooked. Living in downtown Hamilton during their undergraduate years, Ashley and Breanna witnessed the hardships of the homeless population, where priorities were often shelter and food, with oral health far down the list. Determined to make a difference, the sisters noticed a lack of oral health-focused clubs at McMaster. What started as a humble effort to raise awareness and distribute supplies has blossomed into a fully-fledged movement that aims to make oral health a priority for all. Since then, the Healthy Smiles Club has grown to include 18 executive members and about 50 general members, all united in their mission to improve the oral health of those in need.
Building from the ground up
Launching the club was no easy task. The sisters faced challenges with limited funding, minimal resources, and the daunting task of building the initiative from scratch. Slowly but surely, they grew their presence on social media, spreading the word about their mission. “It was a gradual process, but we knew that with persistence, we could bring the student community together to create real change,” Ashley reflects.
Their efforts have paid off. With more than $1,000 raised through bake sales and Krispy Kreme fundraisers, the club has supplied over 1,300 oral hygiene kits to those in need, distributing them to four local community organizations: Mission Services Hamilton, Helping Hands Street Mission, Wesley Hamilton, and The Hamilton Dream Center.
Meeting the needs of the community
The Healthy Smiles Club’s commitment to the Hamilton community goes beyond fundraising. Recognizing that different groups have distinct needs, the club has developed two types of hygiene kits: pediatric and adult. The pediatric kits include floss, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a “tooth tip” card, which provides fun and easy ways for parents to teach their children about oral care. The adult kits feature similar items, tailored to support ongoing oral hygiene for individuals facing barriers to dental care.
Delivering these kits has been a humbling experience for the sisters and the club members. For many recipients, receiving the kits marked the first time in years they had access to proper oral hygiene supplies. “It’s truly amazing to be able to give back some autonomy to those who have gone so long without,” Breanna says.
Community voices
The impact of the Healthy Smiles Club has been felt deeply by the local organizations they support. Kristina Ivanovic, Hospitality Coordinator at Helping Hands Street Mission, shares, “Our friends are very limited in what they can get, and those kits provided a big relief. It’s one less thing for them to worry about.”
Kimberly Amis, involved with donor support and event planning at The Hamilton Dream Center, echoes this sentiment, noting that many clients, especially seniors, suffer from inadequate dental care, often with missing or severely decayed teeth. “Having these kits is a wonderful way to support those in need,” she says.
Looking ahead
The future is bright for the Healthy Smiles Club. Ashley and Breanna plan to register the club as a non-profit within the next year, aiming to expand its reach beyond Hamilton. As they continue to grow, they’re striving to host more engaging events at McMaster University, set higher fundraising targets, and supply even more hygiene kits to those who need them most.
“We are so humbled by the support we’ve received so far and are excited to continue our journey as founders,” Ashley remarks. Breanna adds, “Every step we take is a step toward creating a healthier community, and we can’t wait to see the impact we can make together.”
The sisters emphasize that every little bit helps. They encourage anyone interested in making a difference to consider donating to their GoFundMe page, as every contribution goes directly toward supporting healthy smiles and spreading kindness throughout the community.
Join the movement
To learn more about the Healthy Smiles Club and how you can help spread smiles in Hamilton, visit their Instagram @healthysmilesclub and TikTok @thehealthysmilesclub. The journey to improve oral health is just beginning. Together, we can empower individuals and families in our community to prioritize their oral health.