About Us

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About Us ... The GivaGeta Story

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Give a Smile ... Get a Smile™ ... GivaGeta™

In 1971 ... it all started with a little girl named Jackie who would dot the “i” in her name with a special smiley.

Fast forward sixteen years. Boy meets girl. In 1992, Jim and Jackie marry and soon after are blessed with two boys.

In September 2003, Jackie asks Jim, “What do you think about spreading more smiles with my smiley?” On Thanksgiving Day, Jim adds “Give a Smile ... Get a Smile ... GivaGeta” and they name the smiley “GivaGeta Smiles”.

In 2005, their nine year old son, Jimmy Jr., who they call “Einstein Jr.”, came up with the idea to put the first 27 of these short, catchy, positive ways of thinking called “GivaGeta Kindness Messages” on playing cards. GivaGeta is a for profit corporation and to give back and bring smiles to children with special needs, in 2009 the GivaGeta Foundation was created in honor of their son Nathan.

Jackie and Jim Cantoni are very grateful as The GivaGeta Collection of The World’s Kindest Playing Cards™, Positive Pen™, Ambassador of Character™, the Educational Kindness™ Leadership Tool Kits and more by GivaGeta Smiles™ is helping facilitate interaction and engage kids and team build staff in schools, camps, families and businesses in over 45 states and 26 countries make our diverse world a better place.

This quote shares a how we are helping in our own little way:

"It's a real easy way for kids to mingle and talk to each other. They get to meet each other without feeling like they are forcing it. It allows the kids to break the barriers down."

~ Bill B. Assistant Program Director.
2009 State wide implementation of The World's Kindest Playing Cards™ by GivaGeta Smiles™

Thank you for reading and letting us share The GivaGeta story with you. Please contact us to learn more.

Gratefully yours,

Jackie & Jim Cantoni
GivaGeta Founders