Kobei, another lucky recipient of a S4L scholarship

We wanted to congratulate the latest recipient of a Smile For a Lifetime Scholarship, Kobei Mooney.

Kobei is 10 years old and attends Faulk Elementary School in West Memphis. He is very artistic, with painting, drawing and poems being his favorites. He is also a basketball player, and the season starts this week!

Kobei is very shy when people try to help him, however, he likes to help others and knows braces will help him help others. Upon hearing of winning the orthodontic scholarship, Kobei was “overwhelmed with excitement and joy”, saying it “was like a dream come true”. His mom said that this will help make Kobei more confident and outgoing.

Of the donors to Smile for a Lifetime, she would say: “they will never know the true reality of their generous blessing”. Although Kobei’s dad had to be in Virginia the day he got his braces on, mom taped the entire thing so that his proud father would not miss anything. Kobei’s grandparents also came to see him get his braces on, as was Mrs. Donald, the principal at Faulk Elementary. She said that the entire family is a joy to have in school.

Christie George, Kobei’s teacher for English and Science last year, said that he maintained a’s in both subjects all year, even entering an essay contest about “Random Acts of Kindness” that won for his school and went on to represent Faulk at the next level.

His dentist, Dr. Debi Williams, who told his mom about the foundation, thinks he is a pretty great kid as well, saying that she knows he will “make her proud”.


Congratulations Kobei!

Kevin Johnson, another S4L Recipient, Gets His Braces On!

You may have remembered reading the wonderful application that we posted from Kevin Johnson's family a few weeks ago. Kevin was awarded a Smile For A Lifetime Orthodontic Scholarship from The Fergus Burris Team and KISS FM Jonesboro. Kevin got his braces on last Tuesday, and the photo above shows him and his family with Dr. Burris and Brandon Baxter from KISS FM.

Congratulations Kevin, you are on the road to a great new smile!

Smile For a Lifetime Patient Kathleen gets her braces off!

The photo above is the very first Smile for a Lifetime recipient to get her braces off. Her name is Kathleen Otterpohl, and she got her braces off on Tuesday. Check out the quote about Kathleen below from the national Smile for a Lifetime director, Aimee Spencer:

Kathleen's reference letters were fantastic and I believe that is why she stood out so much to the local board. She had one letter from her dental hygienist who knew her personally. She had another letter from a family that she babysat for. They talked about what a good person Kathleen was, and how she would often forgo hanging out with friends and school activities so she could work (babysit) for extra money to help her Mom out. Her mom is a school teacher and also drives the bus for extra money. Going by memory, Kathleen is/was very involved in church. The day the braces were removed, Kathleen's mom cried just about the whole time. She was so appreciative and said many times "God bless S4L". She thanked everyone, and told us what an answered prayer this experience was.

Congratulations on your new smile Kathleen!

-The Fergus Burris Team

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is almost here, and the Fergus Burris Team is thankful for all our wonderful patients and friends that make each day extraordinary!

Since the holiday season is about to begin, what are you thankful for?

Share a response in the comments section, or head over to our Facebook Fan Page to join the conversation!

Happy Thanksgiving,

--Drs. Burris and Fergus

Sady Martin Receives S4L Orthodontic Scholarship

Sady Martin has recently received braces from the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation, NEA/Bootheel of Missouri. Sady is the 13-year-old daughter of Gerald Martin of Malvern, AR. She is in the eighth grade and is involved in basketball, cheerleading, track, and softball. In a reference letter, Shelly Snowden, a family friend, said, “Sady deserves these braces. She is a beautiful person on the inside and just needs a bit of help on the outside. I know if she receives this, it will be something that she will appreciate for the rest of her life.”

Along with her application, there were many reference letters describing how delightful and strong Sady is. After reading her application, the Nea/Bootheel of Missouri Smile for a Lifetime board of directors selected her as a recipient of orthodontic care free of charge. Way to go, Sady! We know you will do many good things in the future, and we wish you the best!

--The Fergus Burris team

Join the Us and Help Feed Neighbors in Need

Help us feed neighbors in need! Orthodontics by the Fergus-Burris Team is collecting nonperishable foods until December 16 for their Feeding Neighbors in Need project. All food collected will be donated to needy families in Northeast Arkansas.

Patients will receive one Fergus-Burris Buck for each canned item they donate. Drop off items at our Jonesboro, West Memphis, Forrest City and Paragould locations or call (870) 972-8294 for more information.

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.