Operation Smile Holds Awards Dinner January 17 as Part of its World Summit

WHAT: 
As part of Operation Smile’s World Summit, an awards dinner will be held to recognize accomplishments of Operation Smile’s partner countries, leaders and supporters.  Attendees will hear from Operation Smile Board of Directors member Cindy McCain who will discuss her involvement and commitment to the charity.  Several awards will be presented to dedicated Operation Smile international volunteers as well as donors Jay and Amy Regan from New Jersey.  Stryker, a global leader in the medical technology industry, will be honored for its longtime support of Operation Smile through in-kind equipment donations.  Former Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Obendorf and Virginia Beach Councilman Ron Villanueva will be recognized for their efforts to help Operation Smile build its new World Headquarters in Virginia Beach. 

WHO:
Cindy McCain, Operation Smile Board of Directors member
Former Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Obendorf
Virginia Beach Councilman Ron Villanueva
More than 200 Operation Smile staff and volunteers from more than 30 countries

WHEN: 
Saturday, January 17, 2009
7:30pm – Program begins 
8:30pm – Cindy McCain speaks
9:00pm – Awards presentations

WHERE:
Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront – Peacock Ballroom (2nd floor)
3001 Atlantic Ave.
Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Cindy McCain’s History with Operation Smile
Cindy McCain, a long time advocate for children’s healthcare needs, has been involved with Operation Smile since 2001, participating in medical missions to Tangier, Morocco (2001); DaNang, Vietnam (2002); Deesa, India (2003); Bao Loc, Vietnam (2007) and Nha Trang, Vietnam (2008).  Furthering her commitment to Operation Smile and its belief that no child should have to live with a correctable facial deformity, Cindy McCain joined Operation Smile’s Board of Directors in April 2005 and participates in quarterly Board meetings to review the organizations activities.  Cindy has a sincere belief in the organization’s work and is a dedicated and active volunteer with a truly personal connection.  In 1993, Senator John and Cindy McCain adopted a child born with a cleft lip and cleft palate from Mother Teresa’s orphanage in Bangladesh.  Bridget was successfully treated in the U.S., and today is 16 years old.  Cindy does not hesitate to travel with

Operation Smile on medical missions to remote sites that require lengthy and arduous travel.  During the medical missions, she is a tireless member of the team.  She is hands-on and can be seen handing out patient ID numbers, comforting parents, playing with children, handing out water or observing surgeries in the operating room.  While in India, she accompanied the Operation Smile student team to a local orphanage and a school.  During Operation Smile’s Los Angeles Gala in October 2005, Cindy was presented with the Wallis Annenberg Public Service Award for her passionate commitment to serving and especially for being a voice for children in need around the world.  Cindy also lends her support for Operation Smile marketing campaigns.

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.