LOCAL RESIDENTS BRING LOVE (AND NECESSITIES) TO DOMINICAN VILLAGE

ARCH Orthodontics Donates Toothbrushes for ‘Awe-Inspiring’ Church Mission

 

(ISSUED WINTER 2013-14) —  Last summer, while many of their friends were vacationing, Carol Golden and 17-year-old daughter Rebecca of Bridgewater (Mass.), joined in a week-long humanitarian mission 1,650 miles from home.

 

Along with members of 10 churches from New England and Arkansas, the Goldens joined Youth and Family Minister Matt Welch of Edgewood Church of Christ in Mansfield and 20 other locals in the Dominican Republic. Once they signed up for the Manna Global Ministries’ trip to one of the country’s poorest areas, Rebecca asked her Orthodontists if they might donate toothbrushes for the mission. Dr. Andrew Chase and Dr. Robert Chavez, who operate ARCH Orthodontics in Bridgewater and 8 other offices, agreed, and even spotlighted the Goldens on their website and in publicity to help the group raise awareness about the project.

 

Carol Golden says, “Before departing for the Dominican Republic Rebecca and I helped prepare bags for the children filled with donated items from various businesses, one of which was toothbrushes given by ARCH.  When we arrived at the area near the city dump to distribute the bags, over 100 women, men and children came running to our jeep to see what we had for them.  We didn’t have enough arms to hug the kids, let alone distribute the peanut butter sandwiches, juice and care bags to the children. It was awe-inspiring!”

 

The unique mission included hospital visitation and encouragement, a painting project, ‘city dump ministry day’ with Haitian refugees, and ‘Community Day,’ spending time with a Dominican family in their house learning about the culture and the people. Other activities included organizing programs at a Christian Center, feeding the homeless, building portions of the new school facilities and light construction/maintenance at the children’s homes.

 

Rebecca is a senior at Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School and captain of the swim team. Her sister Rachel is an ARCH patient. When not working, Mom Carol says her true interest is “actively planning and executing fundraising efforts for church-wide activities and local organizations.”

 

This type of involvement isn’t new for ARCH. A few years ago, ARCH donated toothbrushes for children in Africa as part of the Uganda Water Project. For many recipients, it was the first time they saw a toothbrush.  Both Drs. Chase and Chavez have volunteered for Operation Smiles to provide free surgeries and dental care to disadvantaged children in other countries with cleft palate and other oral deformities. ARCH has a long history of support for area youth sports teams. Dr. Chavez, who co-founded and serves on the Board of the Stoughton Youth Commission, has served since 1978 as an Associate Surgeon at Brigham and Woman’s Hospital where he works with many young patients.

 

ARCH Orthodontics, the Official Orthodontist of Miss Massachusetts, has offices in Stoughton, Bridgewater, Brockton, Canton, Hyannis, Hyde Park, Orleans, Randolph and Westwood. To schedule a free consultation call 1-800-28- SMILE, email smilemaker@archorthodontics.com or visit http://www.sesameblogs.com/archorthodontics.