Thank You For Helping Us Feed Our Neighbors in Need!

Our Feeding Neighbors in Need project was a huge success, thanks to all of your contributions! We are happy to report that 512 lbs of food was collected for the Feeding Neighbors In Need Project.

We collected food from November 9th to December 16th, and all items were donated to needy families all around Northeast Arkansas. Great job patients and team!

Have a happy and safe New Year, from the entire Fergus Burris Team!

Congratulations to Kevin, winner of an Orthodontic Scholarship!

Drs. Burris and Fergus teamed up with KISS FM Jonesboro to award a Smile for a Lifetime scholarship to Kevin Johnson of Kennett, MO. Take a look at the heartwarming application that Kevin's parents submitted, below:

Kevin is my 16 year old stepson. He has a twin brother Keith, a 14 year old sister Kara and a 15 month old sister Alayna. (Keith & Kara are from my husbands 1st marriage). Keith and Kara were both born with a bone disorder called Morquio Syndrome (like the little boy in Simon Birch). It causes their bodies to stop growing, but their organs continue to grow. Not long after they were diagnosed, their mom decided to leave them. They have been with their dad for several years.

As long as I've been a part of their lives, Kevin has been a HUGE part in taking care of Keith and Kara. He helps them get on and off of the bus. He carries them upstairs to their classroom at church. Helps get them something to drink when they're thirsty, turns the lights on and off for them...basically anything that most of us take for granted, he does for them. He's also a big help with the baby. Over the years, Keith and Kara have had to have several surgeries and have required lots of attention. Kevin never complained. I've seen him give up chances to go places and do things simply becauce Keith and Kara can't.

He's a very hard worker and would do anything for anyone. I feel that he deserves something special in return. We just today found a dentist in the area that accepts Medicaid so we are in the process of getting him an appt. there. I had to have braces as a child and my teeth didn't look near as bad as his do so we're pretty sure he's going to have to have braces.

I think Smile for a Lifetime is an awesome program and Kevin would be so excited if he qualified. Thank you.

Nikki Perkins Receives Orthodontic Scholarship

Congratulate Nikki Perkins! She recently received braces from the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation, NEA/Bootheel of Missouri. Nikki is the 13-year-old daughter of Barry and Donna Perkins of Hot Springs, AR. She is currently in the seventh grade and is involved in Locks of Love and basketball. Nikki said that she would to receive braces so that she will smile more and not feel self-conscious. In her application, her mother said, “Nikki is going to start a new school next year, and this will give her more confidence...Maybe she will smile with her teeth showing more.”

All letters of recommendation that accompanied Nikki’s application spoke of what a caring and giving heart Nikki has. The Nea/Bootheel of Missouri Smile for a Lifetime board of directors selected Nikki as a recipient of orthodontic care at no cost. Congratulations Nikki! We expect to see great things out of Nikki and wish her the best as she is on her way to a new smile.

--The Fergus Burris Team

Candice Beakley Receives Orthodontic Scholarship

Smile for a Lifetime Foundation, NEA/Bootheel of Missouri is pleased to announce that Candice Beakley recently received an orthodontic scholarship! Candice is the 17 year-old daughter of Kathy Beakley of Paragould. Kathy wrote in Candace’s application, “The gap in her teeth causes her to be overly self-conscience. She lacks self confidence even though I and all those around her can see she has the potential of being a leader…All through her childhood no dentist ever told me that Candice was born without the two teeth that has resulted in this large gap.

"Candice has the normal stress of teenagers and school but this gap causes her stress level to sky rocket at times and she ends up with migraine headaches. She is a good, kind descent person who deserves this procedure.” The NEA/Bootheel of Missouri Board of Directors decided Candice was an excellent candidate and awarded the orthodontic scholarship. Way to go Candace and congratulations on beginning the process of your new smile!

--The Fergus Burris Team