Operation Smile New Jersey’s Gala Helps Children Worldwide
The Operation Smile New Jersey Chapter held its seventh annual fundraising gala on October 24 at the Madison Hotel in Morristown, New Jersey. This year’s gala, themed “SMILES: The Universal Connection,” celebrated the spirit of volunteerism and how together, New Jersey friends and colleagues have changed lives globally, one smile at a time. More than 200 guests attended the gala and helped raise more than $100,000. The event was emceed by Rich Oelkers while Vinnie Brand, a local comedian, served as the evening’s auctioneer.
The Humanitarian Award was presented to longtime volunteer Tracey O’Brien, who has been an Operation Smile volunteer for 16 years and has served as Co-Chair of the New Jersey Chapter for the past eight years.
The prestigious John Connor Humanitarian Service Award was presented by Kathleen Connor, John’s widow, to Mahendra G. Mehta, of Mumbai, India. Mr. Mehta founded the Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust over two decades ago and has dedicated his life to working toward children’s welfare and development, by empowering them to learn. Mr. Mehta’s leadership and support was vital to the formation of Operation Smile India, which has provided more than 1,700 children with cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries since 2002.
(from left) Clare Cheng, Tracey O’Brien, Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee and Norrie Oelkers. Photo by Marc Ascher |
(from left) Shannon Riley, Ellie Colucci, Kristin Harrington. Photo by Marc Ascher |
(from left) Rev. Elias Lorenzo, Kathy Magee, Jeff Gora and Dr. Jill Gora. Photo by Marc Ascher |
Rich Oelkers emceed the event. Photo by Marc Ascher |
Students Alex Baumann (left) and Patrick Chiarolanzio with Dr. Jill Gora. Photo by Marc Ascher |
Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee look on as Kathleen Connor presents Mahendra Mehta with the John Connor Humanitarian Service Award. Photo by Marc Ascher |
