Operation Smile, a worldwide children’s medical charity, hosted a tribute to Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee and dedicated humanitarian Bruce Smith at a gala event in his honor on Friday, September 25, 2009, in Virginia Beach, VA. The evening, which was attended by over 500 guests, recognized Mr. Smith’s lifetime contributions as an athlete, businessman, volunteer and community leader.
“Bruce was a true leader and the greatest defensive end to ever play the game,” said long-time Buffalo Bills teammate and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly during a special video message. “Bruce always had a smile on his face – every practice, every play and every game – and it spilled over to his teammates,” added Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy who attended the event. “I am proud to say, that during my long career, I coached Bruce Smith. I couldn’t be more pleased to join Operation Smile in this tribute to him.”
An emotional highlight of the evening was a special appearance by 7-year-old Sharon Chebet, an Operation Smile World Care Patient from Kenya. Her mother gave a moving account of “the miracle” of how Operation Smile transformed her child’s life. Born with a severe facial deformity, Sharon’s story had been an inspiration for Mr. Smith as she symbolizes the emotional journey from despair, to hope, and to 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.
“I am humbled by this honor and recognition from an organization that has been very close to my heart for many years,” said Mr. Smith. “My career as an athlete and businessman has been extremely rewarding, but I am thankful and truly blessed to have had to opportunity to contribute to the great work of Operation Smile.”
Students from Bruce Smith’s high school alma mater, Booker T. Washington High School, who also attended his Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio, presented Mr. Smith with a special award honoring his commitment to the community and to helping improve the life of others. News anchor Regina Mobley presided over the award presentation.
Congressman Glenn Nye, a former Foreign Service Officer who worked with the State Department in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, also attended the event and said, "I'm proud to applaud Bruce Smith for all his efforts to highlight and support the great work of Operation Smile, and for representing the best of America overseas."
Mr. Smith has been an active supporter of Operation Smile for 15 years. He served on the Board of Directors from 1995 to 2001. Operation Smile Co-founders Dr. William P. Magee, and his wife Kathleen, recognized his service to the organization. “Bruce has been an invaluable leader and tireless advocate for our cause of helping children,” said Dr. Magee. “We are privileged to honor Bruce on behalf of all the people involved with Operation Smile and the thousands of children around the world he has helped us touch.”
Other attendees included gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell, senatorial candidate Jeff McWaters, congressional candidate Scott Taylor, the Honorable Ron Villanueva, candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates, Co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) Sheila Johnson, radio personalities Rick Rumble and Cocoa Butter, and the reigning Mrs. Hampton Roads, Dena Liston. The evening’s festivities were hosted by best-selling author and internationally acclaimed speaker Dan Clark and sportscaster Bruce Radar, with special tributes from Bruce Thompson and Dan Hoffler.
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 135,000 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.
