In August 2026, we installed SEVEN Smilezones at the Hay River Hospital! The Smilezones include: fresh paint, colourful murals and sensory!
Thank you to our generous donors, The Ewout & Lynn Heersink Family Foundation, for making this project possible.
“Every child deserves to feel welcomed and comfortable when visiting any health facility. We are grateful to the Heersink Family Foundation to have chosen our Health Centre to be the first in the Northwest Territories to receive a Smilezone for the children accessing our services for their care. Our hope, through this
collaboration, is that children visiting the Hay River Regional Health Centre will feel comfort and joy while receiving their much-needed care from our dedicated staff.” Dale Snow, Chief Operating Officer.
“Every child deserves to feel a sense of comfort and joy when they enter a healthcare environment,” said Smilezone Foundation Co-Founder, Scott Bachly. “These new Smilezones are about transforming everyday spaces into places that feel more welcoming and remind children and families that even during a healthcare
visit, there is always room to smile.”
