By MICHAEL J. BROOKS

Special to the Reporter

HOOVER – Smile-A-Mile of Alabama will host a fundraising benefit at the Inverness Country Club on April 10.

According to Development Director Savannah DeRieux, “Swinging for Smiles” is an annual event and will be hosted for the second time at Inverness.

“Our mission is to provide hope and adventure for children with cancer and their families,” DeRieux said. “The cancer journey for children is physically and emotionally draining whether the child is 4 or 14, and it’s draining as well for families. We provide activities and programs for those families.”

DeRieux explained that Smile-A-Mile was founded 30 years ago as Camp Smile-A-Mile when the summer camp for cancer patients was the main activity.

Over time, the needs of pediatric cancer patients surpassed the summer programming. Smile-A-Mile provides seven summer camp sessions but now provides year-round activities and has modified the original name and moved to a new location.

Smile-A-Mile purchased a warehouse on Second Avenue South in Birmingham in 2016 and moved into the renovated facility on Jan. 11, now called Smile-A- Mile Place.

“We’re in proximity to Children’s of Alabama,” DeRieux said. “We go onto the hematology/oncology floor and into the outpatient clinic through our Hospital Outreach Program. We served more than 250 people with more than 900 contacts last year.”

“Swinging for Smiles” will begin with registration at 7 a.m. and a shotgun start at 8 a.m.

Registration is $500 for a foursome and $125 for individuals, and includes green fees, cart, breakfast or lunch, range balls and goodies.

Prizes are offered for closest-to-the-pin and longest drive.

Mulligans and raffle tickets will also be available for purchase.

Sponsorships are available.

For more information, e-mail Special Events Director Katie Langley at katie@smileamile.com or call 323-8427.

The event also has a Facebook page at “Swinging for Smiles.” The Smile-A-Mile website is campsam.org.