Dr. Britt Reagin spent his childhood summers clerking at his grandfather’s drugstore, where he learned important lessons in business, customer service, and community. But it was the pharmacist’s model of philanthropy (in his church, the soup kitchen, and the free medical clinic) that continues to resonate with the 37-year-old today.
“My grandfather taught me two things: To seek God in everything I do and to put others before myself.” And through his steadfast commitment to volunteerism, this dedicated father of three is working to pass on the value of benevolence—not only to his children, but to the youth who come through his Summerville orthodontics practice as well.
“It’s important to me to try to raise a generation of kids who thinks about their community,” he says. In fact, Reagin is rarely spotted at volunteer events without at least one member of his family.
“Making time for his wife and children is a top priority to Dr. Reagin, no matter how busy he is,” says Linda Walton, development director for the Summerville Family YMCA, where Reagin serves as a board member. “And he treats his community as if we were also members of his family.” Perhaps that’s why, in addition to stepping up as the swim-cap sponsor for the organization’s annual Youth Triathlon, Reagin and his clan always head to the August event at dawn to cheer on the 200-plus participants as they swim, bike, and run the three- to six-mile challenge. “Seeing those kids cross the finish line is pretty inspirational,” he muses.
Reagin has done his share of inspiring, too. He’s donated mouth guards to the Summerville Soccer Club, where he also coaches two nights a week. As a business partner with Summerville Elementary for the past four years, he regularly brainstorms and presents lessons that transform one of the classroom’s core standards into a real-world application. And when the school launched its “Math Madness” initiative last year to encourage students to improve their scores, Reagin not only offered to purchase a mini glow-in-the-dark basketball for every child who reached the goal, he also took the time to personally hand all 900 out.
“As a Partner in Education through the Adopt-A-Teacher program, Dr. Reagin shares his love of learning and his encouraging disposition with our students and faculty,” says Shannon Raglin, the school’s business partner liaison. “Certain individuals leave a lasting impression on us; Dr. Reagin is one of those people who encourages you to be a better person.”
SMILE SQUAD
Colors for a Cure: This September in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Reagin Orthodontics donated $2 to Chase After a Cure for every patient who opted to wear purple and gold bands (the nonprofit’s colors) on their braces. They plan to make it an annual office initiative.
Big-Time Smiles: Reagin donates time and resources to Smiles Change Lives, which provides orthodontic treatment to children who could otherwise not afford it.
