OPERATION SMILE TO HONOR DEDICATED HUMANITARIAN AND NFL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE BRUCE SMITH

Who: Operation Smile, a worldwide children’s medical charity, will celebrate humanitarian and Hall of Fame inductee Bruce Smith at a special event in his honor on Friday, September 25, 2009. Over 500 community, business, entertainment and government leaders will be in attendance, including invited guests NFL Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy, Congressman Glenn Nye, gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell, senatorial candidate Jeff McWaters, congressional candidates Scott Taylor and Ron Villanueva, Co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) Sheila Johnson, and radio personalities Rick Rumble, Cocoa Butter and Big Dose. The evening will be hosted by sportscaster Bruce Radar and Dan Clark, with special tributes from Bruce Thompson, Dan Hoffler, and NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly

Sharon Chebet, an Operation Smile World Care Patient from Kenya, will also make a special appearance. Born with a severe facial deformity, Sharon’s story has been an inspiration for Mr. Smith as she symbolizes the emotional journey from despair, to hope, and joy that many children with a facial cleft experience. Mr. Smith’s connection to Sharon is especially significant as he participated in a medical mission to her homeland in Africa in 1999 during Operation Smile’s World Journey of Hope, a nine-week surgical mission in which 5,300 children from 18 countries received free reconstructive surgery.

Students from Booker T. Washington High School and news anchor Regina Mobley will present Mr. Smith with Operation Smile’s distinguished Universal Smile Award. This award recognizes individuals who have dedicated their energy to improving the lives of others, and honors men and women whose integrity, competence and courage have earned them respect and acclaim worldwide. The past recipients of the award include Senator John Glenn, Goldie Hawn, Mario Lopez, Karl Malone, Tom Shadyac, Molly Simms and Wesley Vulatggio.

Where: Virginia Beach Conference Center, 1000 19th Street, Virginia Beach, VA

When: 6:30 p.m., Friday, September 25, 2009

About Operation Smile (www.operationsmile.org)
Founded in 1982, Operation Smile, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, is a worldwide children’s medical charity whose network of global volunteers are dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children and young adults. Since its founding, Operation Smile has treated more than 130,000 children born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities and the organization has a presence in more than 50 countries. In addition to contributing free medical treatment, Operation Smile trains local medical professionals in its partner countries and leaves behind crucial equipment to lay the groundwork for long-term self-sufficiency.