THE LUZERNE FOUNDATION COMMUNITY CHAMPION OF THE WEEK THE Luzerne FOUNDATION Here for good. Community Champion of the Week: SmileStory® Medicine treats the body, but it's often the small acts of love that heal the heart." This belief is at the core of SmileStory®, a charitable fund founded by Ashley and Chris Bohinski to extend the small acts of love to cancer patients and caregivers in Northeastern Pennsylvania who deserve to feel seen, supported and uplifted. SmileStory When and Why SmileStory® Began SmileStory® logo SmileStory® first began in 2016 as a creative video web series developed by Chris to spread happiness, positivity, and joy through celebrity interviews and uplifting storytelling. During each interview, Chris asked the heartfelt question: "What makes you smile?" Building on an already meaningful foundation, Ashley and Chris expanded SmileStory® in 2025 into a charitable fund operating through the Luzerne Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. SmileStorycarries on Chris's original mission of spreading happiness, positivity, and joy - just in a different manner. Deeply Personal Basis of Caregiving Experienced Ashley and Chris's passion for caring for cancer patients and caregivers is rooted in deeply personal experiences. Ashley currently serves as a caregiver to her Nana, Jeanne. Chris served as the primary caregiver to his mother, Barbara Bohinski, during her battle with uterine cancer until her passing in 2019, honoring the compassionate legacy of his father, Dr. Stanley T. Bohinski, a dedicated physician who battled brain cancer until his passing in 2013. Through their own firsthand caregiving experiences, Ashley and Chris recognized Ashley and her Nana, Jeanne that while the medical treatment provided to cancer patients is often excellent, cancer patients and their caregivers face significant challenges that affect their physical, psychological, and social well-being. These challenges extended far beyond the hospital walls. Their insight revealed a clear gap in services that provide comfort, strength, joy, relief, and quality-of-life support outside of the medical setting. SmileStory's Core Services Include: BATTLE MODE Chris's father, Dr. Stanley T. Bohinski, during radiation treatments For cancer patients, SmileStory provides customized care packages, uplifting experiences, milestone celebrations, meal assistance, transportation assistance, and household support. For caregivers, SmileStoryprovides customized care packages with gifts of appreciation, notes of encouragement, and opportunities for self-care and rest that allow the caregivers to pause, recharge, and feel valued for the critical role they play. Recognizing that every individual's journey is unique, SmileStory tailors each care package to the recipient's personal preferences, stage of treatment, and practical or emotional needs. Care packages may include comfort items, self-care products, snacks, gift cards, small gifts, and supportive materials. Chris and his mother, Barbara Bohinski, one week before she passed away In addition to purchased supplies, the program also incorporates donated items from community partners and organizations to maximize resources and extend support to more individuals in need. The true impact of SmileStory is found in the moments it helps create-a handwritten note that brings reassurance, a meal during a difficult time, or a small gesture that reminds someone they are not alone. These acts of kindness can provide dignity, relief, and connection when they are needed most. Growing Community Impact In less than a year as a charitable fund, SmileStory has reached individuals across nine NEPA counties, thanks to the dedication of its volunteers and the generosity of the community. Every donation, partnership, and shared story helps expand its reach and bring support to more local cancer patients and caregivers. How Can You Get Involved? Those seeking support can connect with SmileStory, where every story is met with compassion and care. Community members who wish to make a difference can contribute through The Luzerne Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, with all donations directly benefiting local cancer patients and caregivers. Visit www.SmileStory.org for more information. Working together makes our community stronger. If you have a cause near to your heart and want to make a difference here in Northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond, please call us at the Luzeme Foundation or visit www.luzfdn.org for more information. Do you want to make our community better? So do we. Let's do it together. Because of you and for you, we are... Here for good. T THE LUZERNE FOUNDATION 34 SOUTH RIVER ST. WILKES-BARRE, PA 18702 WWW.LUZFDN.ORG 570.822.2065 THE LUZERNE FOUNDATION COMMUNITY CHAMPION OF THE WEEK THE Luzerne FOUNDATION Here for good . Community Champion of the Week : SmileStory® Medicine treats the body , but it's often the small acts of love that heal the heart . " This belief is at the core of SmileStory® , a charitable fund founded by Ashley and Chris Bohinski to extend the small acts of love to cancer patients and caregivers in Northeastern Pennsylvania who deserve to feel seen , supported and uplifted . SmileStory When and Why SmileStory® Began SmileStory® logo SmileStory® first began in 2016 as a creative video web series developed by Chris to spread happiness , positivity , and joy through celebrity interviews and uplifting storytelling . During each interview , Chris asked the heartfelt question : " What makes you smile ? " Building on an already meaningful foundation , Ashley and Chris expanded SmileStory® in 2025 into a charitable fund operating through the Luzerne Foundation , a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) organization . SmileStorycarries on Chris's original mission of spreading happiness , positivity , and joy - just in a different manner . Deeply Personal Basis of Caregiving Experienced Ashley and Chris's passion for caring for cancer patients and caregivers is rooted in deeply personal experiences . Ashley currently serves as a caregiver to her Nana , Jeanne . Chris served as the primary caregiver to his mother , Barbara Bohinski , during her battle with uterine cancer until her passing in 2019 , honoring the compassionate legacy of his father , Dr. Stanley T. Bohinski , a dedicated physician who battled brain cancer until his passing in 2013 . Through their own firsthand caregiving experiences , Ashley and Chris recognized Ashley and her Nana , Jeanne that while the medical treatment provided to cancer patients is often excellent , cancer patients and their caregivers face significant challenges that affect their physical , psychological , and social well - being . These challenges extended far beyond the hospital walls . Their insight revealed a clear gap in services that provide comfort , strength , joy , relief , and quality - of - life support outside of the medical setting . SmileStory's Core Services Include : BATTLE MODE Chris's father , Dr. Stanley T. Bohinski , during radiation treatments For cancer patients , SmileStory provides customized care packages , uplifting experiences , milestone celebrations , meal assistance , transportation assistance , and household support . For caregivers , SmileStoryprovides customized care packages with gifts of appreciation , notes of encouragement , and opportunities for self - care and rest that allow the caregivers to pause , recharge , and feel valued for the critical role they play . Recognizing that every individual's journey is unique , SmileStory tailors each care package to the recipient's personal preferences , stage of treatment , and practical or emotional needs . Care packages may include comfort items , self - care products , snacks , gift cards , small gifts , and supportive materials . Chris and his mother , Barbara Bohinski , one week before she passed away In addition to purchased supplies , the program also incorporates donated items from community partners and organizations to maximize resources and extend support to more individuals in need . The true impact of SmileStory is found in the moments it helps create - a handwritten note that brings reassurance , a meal during a difficult time , or a small gesture that reminds someone they are not alone . These acts of kindness can provide dignity , relief , and connection when they are needed most . Growing Community Impact In less than a year as a charitable fund , SmileStory has reached individuals across nine NEPA counties , thanks to the dedication of its volunteers and the generosity of the community . Every donation , partnership , and shared story helps expand its reach and bring support to more local cancer patients and caregivers . How Can You Get Involved ? Those seeking support can connect with SmileStory , where every story is met with compassion and care . Community members who wish to make a difference can contribute through The Luzerne Foundation , a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) organization , with all donations directly benefiting local cancer patients and caregivers . Visit www.SmileStory.org for more information . Working together makes our community stronger . If you have a cause near to your heart and want to make a difference here in Northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond , please call us at the Luzeme Foundation or visit www.luzfdn.org for more information . Do you want to make our community better ? So do we . Let's do it together . Because of you and for you , we are ... Here for good . T THE LUZERNE FOUNDATION 34 SOUTH RIVER ST . WILKES - BARRE , PA 18702 WWW.LUZFDN.ORG 570.822.2065