One Girl's Tragedy Leads to Bringing Smiles to Families

Emily’s Smile Boxes, a local non-profit that brings smiles to the faces of kids in the hospital and their siblings, partnered with Park Place Dealerships to compile 150 Valentine activity boxes on one of the most recognizable days of the year showing love.

Emily Lites, founder of the 501c3, knows first-hand how boring hospitals can be for kids of all ages. Lites was 10 years old when her brother Jude suffered a massive bilateral stroke. She spent a lot of time at the hospital and quickly learned these essential treatment centers can be boring for patients and their siblings. During this time Emily asked her Mom if she could fill boxes with toys and activities for the sick kids and their siblings. Fourteen years later, Emily’s Smile Boxes has donated more than 25,000 fun-filled boxes to children’s hospitals throughout North Texas.

Park Place Dealerships partnered with Emily’s Smile Boxes, a recipient of the company’s 2022 Season of Giving grant, to compile the boxes filled with love and deliver them to Children’s Medical Center Plano, Children’s Medical Center Dallas and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

“What started as an application for a grant in our annual $100,000 giveaway to non-profits, has turned into a great partnership with Emily’s Smile Boxes,” said Kara Connor, Experiential Marketing Manager for Park Place Dealerships. “Our Members love to give back and we are continually looking for opportunities where they can serve. This is such a heartwarming organization and they really do bring smiles to each child that receives a box.”

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Acura, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth and Dallas, and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. For more info, visit parkplace.com.