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Sahuarita council approves $50,000 grant for Smiles for Veterans program
Summary
The Town of Sahuarita approved Resolution 2026-0860 to accept a $50,000 grant from the Tohono O'odham Nation to Smiles for Veterans, a nonprofit that connects veterans to critical dental care. The motion carried unanimously; the nonprofit estimates the funds will support dentures and other dental services for roughly 40 veterans.
The Town of Sahuarita council voted to approve Resolution 2026-0860, authorizing a $50,000 grant from the Tohono O'odham Nation to Smiles for Veterans, a nonprofit that connects low-income and needy veterans with critical dental services.
Richard Lemons, the town's grants and contracts officer, told the council staff recommended approval after a competitive application process and that the grant supports the nonprofit's network of dental providers. Jan Christiansen, representing Smiles for Veterans, said the program has helped more than 1,500 veterans in the last decade and that last year alone it assisted 234 veterans; she said the current award will help about 40 veterans receive restorative dental care including dentures.
"In 10 years of doing this, we've helped over 1,500 veterans receive critical dental care," Jan Christiansen said, thanking the council for considering the application.
Council members moved and seconded the resolution, and the presiding official called for the vote. The motion carried without recorded opposition.
The grant agreement was described in the staff report as a standard grant-aid arrangement tied to the tribe's statutory allocation of gaming revenue and requires the town to be the local sponsor entity for the nonprofit's application. Council did not attach additional conditions during its vote; staff will finalize the grant agreement and oversee disbursement.
Next steps: staff will execute the grant agreement and Smiles for Veterans will coordinate with local dental providers to schedule care for qualifying veterans. The council's approval was unanimous.
