What Does A Smile Mean to you?
That is the Question Butch or AKA "Patches" often asked children in Pahrump.
In October of 2010 Butch held an event at Ian Deutch park and called it Smiles Across Pahrump. The first year it was a little chilly out, but that did not stop the kids from having fun. Butch had gone around our community and collected toys, bikes, and other items to encourage children to write a short essay on what a smile meant to them. He invited the kids and their parents to pack a picnic, and come hang out as a family and just spend time together and enjoy each others smiles. When the children brought their essays to the park, each was given a T-shirt that Butch provided and a ticket. during the course of the day he drew tickets for the various items collected.
The next year July of 2011, Butch asked Kiwanis Club of Pahrump to help with the event and invited the Pahrump Food For Thought program to set up a booth collecting food and monetary donations for hungry school children. There was DJ music and the Kiwanis brought a microwave and made several cases of popcorn and juice for the kids. Butch had collected 27 bikes to give away that year.
Butch's doctors told him he was going to have to give up doing so much and he asked the Kiwanis to continue his dream. The dream of having a family fun filled day of laughter and smiles on every child's face.
In October of 2010 Butch held an event at Ian Deutch park and called it Smiles Across Pahrump. The first year it was a little chilly out, but that did not stop the kids from having fun. Butch had gone around our community and collected toys, bikes, and other items to encourage children to write a short essay on what a smile meant to them. He invited the kids and their parents to pack a picnic, and come hang out as a family and just spend time together and enjoy each others smiles. When the children brought their essays to the park, each was given a T-shirt that Butch provided and a ticket. during the course of the day he drew tickets for the various items collected.
The next year July of 2011, Butch asked Kiwanis Club of Pahrump to help with the event and invited the Pahrump Food For Thought program to set up a booth collecting food and monetary donations for hungry school children. There was DJ music and the Kiwanis brought a microwave and made several cases of popcorn and juice for the kids. Butch had collected 27 bikes to give away that year.
Butch's doctors told him he was going to have to give up doing so much and he asked the Kiwanis to continue his dream. The dream of having a family fun filled day of laughter and smiles on every child's face.
Honoring Butch Harper Original Founder of Smiles Across Pahrump
ANDRE "BUTCH" HARPER Andre "Butch" Harper, humanitarian and philanthropist, joins his wife of 45 Years on February 21, 2015 at the age of 72. He is survived by his four children: David Harper, Michelle Harper, Cheryl Bender, Danielle Wilt, and 8 grandchildren. Butch is known for his kindness and generosity, his inclination to increase the well being of human kind by charitable aid or donations, and his compassion and love for his fellow man. Butch created the "Act of Kindness" award, and "Smiles Across Pahrump" - See more at: http://obits.pvtimes.com/obituaries/pvtimes/obituary.aspx?pid=174266015#sthash.XZtR8QWH.dpuf
Pahrump Mirror Article July 2011 http://pah.stparchive.com/Archive/PAH/PAH07212011p11.php
