News / Education
Photographers from Across the Country Meet in Phoenix and Present Operation Smile with More than $50,000 from “Family Portrait Month” Promotion
Carmit Bachar, former member of the Pussycat Dolls and Smile Ambassador, on-hand to accept check which will bring smiles worldwide to children born with facial deformities
WHAT: At a reception during the Professional Photographers of America “Imaging USA” convention, PPA Charities (the philanthropic arm of Professional Photographers of America) will present Operation Smile with a check representing the money raised during its “Family Portrait Month” promotion. In October, nearly 350 photographers from 41 states and the District of Columbia joined together with PPA Charities in promoting Family Portrait Month. This national fundraising effort benefits Operation Smile, a worldwide children’s medical charity which treats children around the world who suffer with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. Participating photographers pledged to contribute a portion of each October family portrait sale to PPA Charities, which has chosen Operation Smile as its charitable partner. During the three-year partnership, PPA Charities has raised more than $100,000 for Operation Smile.
WHO: Carmit Bachar, Celebrity Smile Ambassador, born with a cleft lip and cleft palate
Beth Marshall, Operation Smile Senior Executive Advisor for Latin America
Mary Fisk-Taylor, president of PPA Charities Board of Trustees. More than 200 photographers from across the country, including Phoenix
WHEN: Saturday, January 10, 2009
8:00pm-9:00pm – Reception
9:15pm – Check presentation, remarks and auction
10:00pm – Live Band
WHERE: Alice Cooperstown
101 E. Jackson St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
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 volunteers have treated more than 120,000 children born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities and the organization has a presence in 51 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.
