Nathaniel’s Hope annually hosts MAKE ‘m SMILE, the Biggest Party that celebrates kids and adults with all types of disabilities…our VIPs! It is filled with family entertainment, games, characters, petting zoos, food, helpful resources from the community, a friendship stroll, and tons of SMILES!

The MAKE ‘m SMILE party started as a way to remember the birthday of Nathaniel Timothy Kuck, who was born on June 6, 1997, with multiple special needs. He brought his family into the disability community. They experienced the blessings and challenges of caring for a child with compounded medical needs for 4 ½ years, before he had a change of address and relocated to his heavenly home. MAKE ‘m SMILE is the way Nathaniel’s family has chosen to celebrate not only his life, but VIPs everywhere!

The signature MAKE ‘m SMILE event is hosted the first Saturday in May at Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando. This event has become one of the largest festivals of its kind around the country. Annually Nathaniel’s Hope hosts over 3,200 VIP kids and adults along with their families, and thousands from the community join in the celebration! It is only because of the generosity of the community, that this party is provided FREE for our VIP friends and their families!

What began as an annual event in 2003 in Orlando, Florida, has since expanded to locations across the country. MAKE ‘m SMILE has been hosted in Hartville, Ohio, for the past six years, in Southern California for the past three years, and has also spread to North Carolina and Minnesota.

If you’re interested in bringing MAKE ‘m SMILE to your community, contact us!