READ ALL ABOUT IT!

READ ALL ABOUT IT! 📰

One year ago, Momma Boh & Boh the Smile Guy hatched their idea of an all-inclusive Smile Day celebration while walking on their back deck. Now just one year later, the 2nd Annual Smile Day is FRONT PAGE NEWS! Thank you Times Leader for this SPECTACULARLY written article!

😊 Full article HERE

Saturday’s Smile Day features all kinds of free fun

By Lyndsay Bartos - lbartos@timesleader.com

This Saturday, it’s all about the smiles.

The second annual Smile Day — featuring all kinds of free fun — is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wyoming Valley Catholic Youth Center (CYC).

Chris Bohinski and mother Barbara, better known as “Boh the Smile Guy” and “Momma Boh,” pioneered the feel-good movement. It’s an extension of Bohinski’s previous work with NYC Smile 4 Me, which he started in 2016.

When Bohinski returned home about a year-and-a-half ago due to his mother’s cancer diagnosis, Smile Day became a focal point for him and Barbara. The two bonded over the project and used preparation for the event as a way to distract from health hardships.

With Smile Day as a driving force to push Momma Boh on the path to recovery, she continues to beat the odds.

“Her doctors are always commenting how she’s exceeding their expectations, she’s doing wonderfully, improving at a rate that they might not have necessarily expected,” said Chris. “And when they ask her, ‘Well Barbara, what are you doing?’ She usually just answers, ‘I’m being happy, I’m smiling! I’m staying positive.’ I get encouraged by that because then her own happiness, positivity and joy is not only helping her be better, it’s helping me be a better son, be a better caregiver, be a better friend.”

Smile Day has outgrown the Wilkes-Barre Township Firehall, last year’s venue. And the CYC is expecting more than 1,000 attendees Saturday. That’s double the number of participants from last year.

“This year, we already have double the amount of donors, volunteers, and supporters,” said Chris. “ … We’re very happy to have a problem of needing a bigger space for more of the anticipated people that are going to attend.”

With over 250 individuals and area businesses involved, Smile Day has something for everyone: free food, prizes, a petting zoo, face painting, carnival games, dancing, bingo, raffles, a pie-eating contest, basketball, swimming, live entertainment, fire engine and police cruiser tours, and temporary tattoos.

The event is entirely free, including parking. There is a zero-dollar budget for Smile Day. The event relies on the generosity of individuals, groups and local businesses willing to donate goods, services, time and money.

Anyone is welcome to attend.

All the fun begins promptly at 10 a.m. when Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tony George will present a Proclamation of Appreciation to Bohinski and his mother.

Chris also hinted at celebrity appearances.

“I would encourage people to be there for the 10 a.m. opening ceremonies to witness and be a part of all the fun surprise smiles that are going to be happening.”

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