News

Second Annual Fore the Kids Golf Tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina

Operation Smile of the Carolinas hosted the Second Annual Fore the Kids Golf Tournament on the championship course of Bryan Park on May 9. The event raised more than $20,000 thanks to the players and sponsors: NewBridge Bank, Pepsi Bottling Ventures, Land Rover of Greensboro, Joe and Kathy Landing, Lindbrook Development, Dr. Anthony Nottage, D.D.S., Compass Financial and Terminix. After a day of golf, everyone enjoyed a cookout dinner and an awards presentation for the winning teams. Great raffle prizes were awarded throughout the evening including golf clothing and gift certificates to a local golf course, spa and restaurants. There was also a silent auction for a week long stay at a beautiful beach getaway. The winning foursome was Tony Nottage, Jim Tanner, Neal Kennedy and Will Larkin. “Longest drive” winners were George Hoyle and Jason McCord. The event was chaired by Dr. Tony Nottage. Other volunteers included: Kathy Landing, Shirley Nixon, Wendy Rothstein, Rich Rothstein, Steve Ringrose, Kini Johnson, Anna Seaford, Kate Westmoreland, Thor Rasmussen, Bob Singer and Sharron Frahm.

Operation Smile Celebrates National Volunteer Week

Operation Smile is proud to have one of the world’s largest volunteer networks — more than 6,000 medical and non-medical volunteers ready to share their time and talent to help children. In celebration of National Volunteer Week (April 27-May 3), Operation Smile held a Volunteer Awards Ceremony and reception at the Town Point Club in Norfolk, VA on May 1 to honor six exceptional volunteers.

Lifetime Volunteer Award: Cindi Raglin – Virginia Beach, VA

Cindi Raglin has been a volunteer on behalf of Operation Smile for more than 10 years. In that time, she has been volunteering on medical missions and at Operation Smile’s headquarters as the Nursing Specialty Coordinator. Cindi has served as a nurse and Clinical Coordinator on more than 30 Operation Smile medical missions around the world. In addition, Cindi is a member of the organization’s Nursing Council. About volunteering with Operation Smile, she said, “Since I was five years old, I knew I would be a nurse. My mother was a nurse. I’m going out and taking care of people around the world…you don’t have to speak their language. You just have to smile. When a mom comes in to the Recovery Room and you smile, and she smiles back, that’s what it’s all about.”

Lifetime Volunteer Award: Sharron Frahm – Greensboro, NC

In 1994, Sharron Frahm became active as a member of the Board of Governors for Operation Smile North Carolina, and in 1998 joined an Operation Smile medical mission team to Machala, Ecuador, serving as a medical records volunteer. Sharron also served as the North Carolina Board Chair from 2002-2005 and has chaired many fundraising committees for Operation Smile North Carolina’s galas and other events. “When Beth (Marshall, Senior Executive Advisor for Latin America) introduced me to Operation Smile years ago, I had no idea it would become so much a part of my life: to give a child what we take for granted…a smile,” Sharron said of her time spent volunteering with Operation Smile.

2007 Volunteer of the Year: Daniel Taub – Philadelphia, PA

Dr. Daniel Taub has been volunteering with Operation Smile since 1995. He participated on a medical mission to Romania in 1996 and has served as Team Leader on 11 dental missions to Vietnam, helping provide treatment and education to thousands of children. He is the Associate Director of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. About receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award, Dr. Taub said, “I’m honored to receive this award. Operation Smile has been an amazing part of my life. I’ve met some of the greatest people and built relationships with colleagues who are 10,000 miles away and those in my own back yard.”

2007 Volunteer of the Year: D. Michael Gioffre – Wilmington, DE

Dr. Michael Gioffre has participated on 10 dental missions, serving as Team Leader, in Vietnam to provide free care for children and young adults as well as provide Vietnamese dental professionals with hands-on education through lecture and clinical treatment. In addition, Dr. Gioffre has served as the team’s dentist on medical missions to Bolivia, China and the Philippines. He is also a member of the Operation Smile Dental Council. Dr. Giofree has served as Board Member for Operation Smile’s Delaware Chapter for many years, and is a dentist at First State Dental. “It has been an honor to work with this organization for the past 10 years and in many ways, it has helped define who I am and how I practice dentistry,” Dr. Gioffre said of volunteering with Operation Smile.

The Michael Reusing Award: Melissa Cole – Elgin, TX

This is the first year Operation Smile has presented this award, which is named after Melissa Cole’s husband Michael Reusing, an Operation Smile volunteer who passed away in 2007. Mike served as a medical records and electronic medical records specialist on numerous medical missions with Melissa. Since 2000, Melissa has served as a medical records specialist on Operation Smile missions to countries including Bolivia, Cambodia, Haiti, Honduras, India, Kenya and Peru. On receiving this award, Melissa said, “Whenever I’m thinking about doing something, I think about my reward. Being recognized here tonight feels like a reward, like a warm hug from family. To receive the Michael Reusing Award makes my heart explode. Mike was really a torch that ignited the people he touched.”

The Donna Poe-Davis Nursing Award for Excellence: Donna Poe-Davis – the Caribbean

Donna is the first recipient of this award, which will be presented to an Operation Smile volunteer nurse who has served on international medical missions, shown leadership and made significant contributions to Operation Smile. When Donna lived in Hampton Roads, Virginia, she was the Director of Surgical Services at The Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters and worked closely with Operation Smile Co-founder and CEO, Dr. Bill Magee. He asked her to volunteer with Operation Smile, and from 1987-2001, Donna volunteered on missions to Brazil, China, Colombia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, the Philippines, Venezuela, and Vietnam. “The kids go beyond your heart. You can’t believe the fulfillment of a kid, who takes your hand and looks at you. He can’t say thank you in your language, but he can say it in his for a new face,” Donna said of her involvement with Operation Smile.

2008 Strikes for Smiles Bowl-a-Thon

On Saturday, February 23, the North Carolina Chapter of Operation Smile hosted its 6th annual Strikes for Smiles Bowl-a-Thon, raising nearly $9,800.00. Approximately 40 bowlers attended this event at Gate City Lanes which was co-sponsored by students from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Speech and Hearing Department. The university was represented by several teams and seniors Anna Seaford and Kini Johnson, who served as co-chairs of this year’s event.

Prizes were awarded to the bowler that solicited the highest dollar amount of sponsorships and to the team that as a whole solicited the highest amount. There was also a raffle with approximately 20 smaller prizes being awarded. Those prizes were donated by local business, such as McDonald’s, Panera Bread, Chick-fil-a, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Bruegger’s Bagels and several local cinemas. Westbend Vineyards, a local North Carolina winery, donated a 4-bottle sample basket that was part of the silent auction. Every participant received a complimentary “Be Someone” t-shirt to remember the day.

INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATIONS

Operation Smile Bolivia
Operation Smile Brazil
Operation Smile Cambodia
Operation Smile Colombia
Operation Smile Ecuador
Operation Smile Egypt
Operation Smile Honduras
Operation Smile India
Operation Smile Jordan
Operation Smile Mexico
Operation Smile Mission in Kenya
Operation Smile Morocco
Operation Smile Nicaragua
Operation Smile Palestine
Operation Smile Panama
Operation Smile Paraguay
Operation Smile Peru
Operation Smile Philippines
Operation Smile Russia
Operation Smile South Africa
Operation Smile Thailand
Operation Smile Venezuela
Operation Smile Vietnam