Support doubles for third annual Miles for Smiles

The third time was a charm for the nonprofit Always B Smiling’s primary fundraiser.

“This is amazing. This is almost a doubling of what we did last year,” South Fayette resident Dean Huibregtse said regarding attendance at Miles for Smiles, held July 23 along the Montour Trail in Peters Township.

About 600 people turned up on a sunny Sunday morning for the event, which began in 2021 and features opportunities to run, stroll or roll along the trail, along with plenty of other activities.

Huibregtse and his wife, Kristin, founded Always B Smiling in honor of their son, Bennett, who died in July 2020 at age 16 after a lifelong battle with a rare kidney disease.

“Bennett had a lot of struggles in life. He had two kidney transplants. He had multiple disabilities,” Kristin told the Miles for Smiles crowd. “But throughout all of his surgeries and his disabilities, he always shined with a smile.”

The Huibregtses’ goal is help make young people with similar challenges smile, too.

“We understand that there’s a big gap outside of the traditional school system, and we wanted to close that gap by giving children with special needs and disabilities experiences and support,” Kristin said.

Their efforts began with providing rides on adaptive bicycles along the trail, and Always B Smiling now offers creative arts and a “B” Independent program toward developing life skills.

Home base for the nonprofit is Bennett Park, on land donated for the purpose by Bridgeville business owner Tom Robinson at his TAR Self Storage outdoor location on Valley Brook Road. A 20-by-32-foot recreational barn, built in the spring, will be joined by a 3,300-square-foot activity and learning center.

“We’re cautiously optimistic that, hopefully, we’ll be breaking ground on the permanent activity center late this year,” Dean Huibregtse said. “So we’re really excited about that.”

Potential services and activities at the center include horticulture programs, a café where teens and young adults can learn life skills, music therapy for sensory development and enjoyment, and further use of the Montour Trail.

In recognition of her efforts on behalf of Always B Smiling and the people it serves, Kristin was recognized at an Aug. 4 event by the Pittsburgh Circle of Courage Awards, which honors women and men who exercise their faith and display courage as they work to make a difference in their communities.

For more information about Always B Smiling, visit www.alwaysbsmiling.org.