Staff / Nathan Self From left, Project Adventure Kids Development Director Donna Auchenbach and Project Start Smiling founder Mark G. Sayeg, DDS, gather toys and gifts for foster children.

While giving away a smile costs nothing, maintaining it can be impossible for foster children whose Medicaid covers only basic procedures, so Sandy Springs dentist Mark Sayeg, DDS, stepped up to the plate.

In 2008 and 2009, the father and grandfather donated about $32,500 worth of cosmetic, restorative and orthodontic dentistry to the 80 foster children living at the nonprofit Project Adventure Kids group homes in Covington.

"The way I felt I could help was by working to improve their self-esteem by improving their smiles," Sayeg said about the children ages 12 to 21. "A smile is very important."

A smile can be one’s umbrella, and under the umbrella of his nonprofit Project Start Smiling, Sayeg hopes to put presents under the foster home’s Christmas tree.

"We wanted to do more, so we started raising funds," Sayeg said about his wife, Edie, and his six-person staff. “You want the kids to have a good Christmas. The program has been struggling for the past year because of cutbacks."

Through Dec. 31, residents can purchase gift certificates for tooth whitening at home — a $295 value, good for one year — for $225, which Sayeg will donate for the foster children's clothing, school supplies and toiletries.

"This is not just Christmas. It’s all year round," Sayeg said about their needs. "Anyone who has seen the place walks away wanting to help."

The place is a 130-acre campus, established in 1981, containing 14 group homes, an accredited school and a ropes of course for what Development Director Donna Auchenbach calls adventure therapy.

"It changes these kids. It gives them the tools to be successful adults,” said Ms. Auchenbach, who met Sayeg through another donor, Debbie Young. "Nobody does it like this place. It should be mirrored throughout the U.S."

Ms. Auchenbach, a foster care worker for 10 years, said the difference between this foster home and others is profound.

"So many foster kids feel alone. They say they have no voice," she said. "Here, they do. They dont feel alone."

Sayeg’s office is located at 180 Allen Road, Suite 100. Residents can drop off new, unwrapped gifts or purchase gift certificates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thrusday.

Information : (404)255-6782 or visit www.startsmiling.com