About Make Em' Smile Foundation

Our Mission

"Make Em Smile Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit built on one simple belief: it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.

What began as an annual toy drive has grown into a year-round mission focused on spreading kindness, uplifting youth, and supporting families in need. Through our Kindness Concerts, we bring live music and motivational experiences into schools to inspire students to believe in themselves, lead with compassion, and create positive change in their communities.

Through Feeding 50, we partner with local school districts to provide complete Thanksgiving meal kits giving families everything they need to cook and enjoy the holiday together in the comfort of their own home.

From concerts to community outreach, every initiative is rooted in connection, purpose, and impact. We don’t just host events, we build experiences that bring people together and remind them that kindness, no matter how small, can change the world.

Our History

Make Em Smile began in Reno, Nevada as a small holiday toy drive with one simple goal to spread kindness and bring joy to children in need. What started as a single community event has grown into a year-round movement supporting families and uplifting youth.

Today, through initiatives like our annual Toy Drive, Kindness Concerts in schools, and Feeding 50 Thanksgiving meal program, Make Em Smile continues to serve the community. Grounded in the belief that "It’s The Little Things" that make the biggest difference.

Partner Opportunities

we LOVE working with businesses, organizations, and community leaders who are committed to creating meaningful impact and positive change. Through strategic sponsorships and collaborations, partners play a vital role in supporting programs that uplift youth, strengthen families, and serve communities.

Sponsorship opportunities include support for our Kindness Concerts in schools, Feeding 50 Thanksgiving meal program, and our annual Make Em Smile Toy Drive, providing partners with meaningful community engagement, brand visibility, and measurable social impact.

Our Programs

Yearly Toy Drive

The Make Em Smile Toy Drive, is our annual celebration of kindness and a growing holiday tradition in Reno, NV. Each year, we bring the community together through live music, arts and crafts, food, and interactive experiences to spread joy and create meaningful impact for children and families who could use extra support during the holiday season.

In partnership with Ashlee’s Toy Closet, we collect and distribute toys to local schools across the county.

Feeding 50

Yearly Toy Drive

Feeding 50 is a Make Em Smile Foundation initiative dedicated to providing complete Thanksgiving meals to families in need in partnership with local school districts.

Working directly with schools, we identify families who could use extra support and provide full holiday meal kits with everything needed to prepare their Thanksgiving dinner — allowing families to cook, gather, and enjoy the holiday in the comfort of their own home.

Kindness Concert

Yearly Toy Drive

Kindness Concert

Kindness Concerts are high-energy, interactive school programs that use music, storytelling, and real-life experiences to inspire students to believe in themselves and lead with kindness.

Through live performances and motivational messages, students learn about perseverance, self-confidence, and the power of “the little things” to create positive change in their lives and communities.