Leaders of the New York City Latino Community Come Together to Support Operation Smile at a Premier VIP Benefit

October 20, 2009

Hispanic business leaders, musicians, celebrities and the philanthropically-minded elite have joined together to support Operation Smile, a worldwide children’s medical charity, by hosting the 1st Annual Latino Smile Benefit.

This exclusive charity event will be held on October 28th from 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm at M2 Ultra Lounge in New York City. The evening will include special performances by Latin Grammy Award winner Frankie Negrón, Premio Lo Nuestro Award Winner Magic Juan, Bachata musician Toby Love, musician Oro Solido, comedian Ruperto Vanderpool, as well as a surprise artist. Darlene Rodriguez, co-anchor of Today New York, Lulu & Lala of The Luis Jimenez Show, and Gloria B. of 93.1 FM Amor Radio will host the evening ceremonies.

The 1st Annual Latino Smile Benefit is chaired by James Cotto and committee members include Belinda Aquine, Vanessa Cabezas, Roberto Castillo, Danny Estrada, Alex Fredericks, Joana Gonzalez, Michelle Huerfano, Vanessa Laguna, Felipe Lopez, Natalie Manuel, Ken Marinelli, JR Morales, Elis Pacheco, Jean Pierre, Anel Pla, John “Gungie” Rivera, Steven Rodas, and Ines Rosales.

The goal of this event to raise awareness and funds for Operation Smile to help transform the lives of children in Latin America suffering from cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities.

“Celebrating the first annual Operation Smile benefit is an extremely exciting opportunity for Latinos,” noted host committee chairman, James Cotto. “When my daughter Lucy was born she was diagnosed with a cleft palate condition. With the guidance and support of Dr. Bill Magee, the founder of Operation Smile, we were able make Lucy smile. I was also fortunate to attend an Operation Smile mission, which was one of the best experiences of my life.”

Clinique, the renowned skin care and cosmetic company, will provide exclusive gift bags for the anticipated 600 event guests.

For more information on tickets and attending the event, please visit www.operationsmile.org/2009latinobenefit.

About Operation Smile

Operation Smile, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, is an international children’s medical charity with programs and Foundations in more than 60 countries, whose network of more than 5,000 medical volunteers from 80 countries is dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children and young adults. Since its founding in 1982, Operation Smile has provided more than 2 million patient evaluations and conducted over 200,000 free surgeries for children and young adults born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. To lay the groundwork for long-term self-sufficiency in developing countries, Operation Smile donates medical equipment and trains local medical professionals in its partner countries so they are empowered to treat their own local communities.

For more information about Operation Smile’s global efforts, please visit www.operationsmile.org. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/operationsmile and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/operationsmile.

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