POST 68 DONATES TO SMILES FOR VETERANS

On Friday, August 21, 2026, the John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68, represented by Jim McAvoy, 1st Vice Commander, presented a $1,500 check to the East Carolina University (ECU) ‘Smiles for Veterans’ program. Legion Post 68 members have supported this program for several years. Held annually, the ‘Smiles for Veterans’ event serves pre-screened veterans who do not qualify for Veterans Administration dental care or cannot afford their own care but need a variety of dental procedures. Faculty, residents, and students from the school and local offices provide the care.

On hand to receive the donation were Dianne Caprio, Faculty Director of General Dentistry,

Community Service Learning Center (CSLC), Brunswick County; Lori Chiulli, ECU School of

Dental Medicine; Dr. Thomas (Rob) Temple, Major General, U.S. Army (Retired); and Thomas

E. Morgan, DDS, ECU Associate Dean for Extramural Clinical Practices.

North Carolina, one of the most densely populated states with military veterans, has thousands of veteran residents who are “at risk” because they cannot afford essential dental care. Thanks to donations from various veterans’ groups, ECU’s dental school doctors and staff served 29 veterans and provided more than $12,500 in free oral health care on Friday, August 21. Community donations throughout the year have enabled ECU to support veterans at the school’s annual ‘Smiles for Veterans’ event in Brunswick County and to provide support through the ECU Smiles for Veterans Patient Care Fund. The fund helps offset costs for financially needy patients (those without dental insurance and earning at or below 250% of the Federal poverty level).

In Brunswick County alone, 11 additional veterans have received more than $8,400 toward their dental care since last year’s event. According to Jon Jones, MBA, Assistant Dean and Senior Director of Advancement and Alumni Affairs: “It was an incredible day for these veterans as well.”