Smile Greenwich

 Operation Smile Co-Founders, Dr. Bill & Kathy Magee,

Special Guest Speakers

Greenwich, CT (November 1, 2016) – On Friday, November 18th, Smile Greenwich, an evening of Dessert, Drinks & Dancing, to benefit international children's charity, Operation Smile, will be held at the Belle Haven Club in Greenwich. The Co-Founders of Operation Smile, Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee will share their story of love, family and giving to those less fortunate. Grammy Winner, record producer, songwriter and award winning actress, Estelle, will perform. The evening will begin at 7:30 p.m., and include a silent and live auction and music by DJ Nick Dean.

Co-chairs for the evening include: CNN'S Alisyn Camerota (Westport resident), Trisha Dalton (Greenwich resident), Lisa Lori (Greenwich resident) and Dr. Stacy Zarakiotis (Greenwich resident). Smile Greenwich, marks the fifth time, Greenwich has hosted an evening of fundraising for the charity. The goal for the event is to raise awareness and funds for Operations Smile, a medical charity that provides free surgeries for children and young adults in developing countries who are born with cleft lip, cleft palate or other facial deformities.

Lisa Lori, whose three sons were born with facial paralysis, and her husband Mat, know first hand how life changing surgery is for children suffering from facial anomalies. Lisa and Mat Lori hosted their first fundraising event for Operation Smile at their home in 2010. They were introduced to the medical charity by their children's surgeon, Dr. Ronald Zuker, who is a medical volunteer for Operation Smile.

“We want to celebrate the life-changing miracles that Operation Smile’s volunteer medical teams perform every day around the world,” said Lori who has raised more than $2 million dollars through events and corporate partnerships on behalf of Operation Smile. "We are thrilled, with the help of our friends and neighbors, to help continue to spread the love and hope that Operation Smile gives so many."

Local business, community leaders, and philanthropically-minded individuals have agreed to lend their support to ensure children around the world are given a new smile. Host Committee includes: Sara Allard, Flavia Barker, Wendy Block, Alyssa Bonomo, Arleen Armstrong, Michelle Huff Elliot, Rae Ann Herman, Margie Johnson, Cristina Kelleher, Cristin Marandino, Maria Merrill, Jessica Mindich, Kristy de la Sierra, Anne Sylvestor, Kathy Van Zeeland, Diane Viton and Susan Weis.

Corporate sponsors include: the Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, Moffly Media, and the Delamar Hotel. Individual tickets for Smile Greenwich start at $150 with numerous options for underwriting, auction donations and sponsorship. For tickets or sponsorship, please visit www.operationsmile.org/smilegreenwich or call Jessica Szramowski (757) 339-917.2

About Operation Smile

Operation Smile is an international medical charity that has provided hundreds of thousands of free surgeries for children and young adults in developing countries who are born with cleft lip, cleft palate or other facial deformities. It is one of the oldest and largest volunteer-based organizations dedicated to improving the health and lives of children worldwide through access to surgical care. Since 1982, Operation Smile has developed expertise in mobilizing volunteer medical teams to conduct surgical missions in resource-poor environments while adhering to the highest standards of care and safety. Operation Smile helps to fill the gap in providing access to safe, well-timed surgeries by partnering with hospitals, governments and ministries of health, training local medical personnel, and donating much-needed supplies and equipment to surgical sites around the world. Founded and based in Virginia, U.S., Operation Smile has extended its global reach to more than 60 countries through its network of credentialed surgeons, pediatricians, doctors, nurses, and student volunteers.