The Shadow
When Mary Ellen Brock became the 2018-2020 General Federation of Women’s Clubs President, she challenged clubs to seven Grand Initiatives, one of which is 1,000 service projects for Martin Luther King Day, a National Day of Service.
The Covington Woman’s Club members supported this grand initiative on Monday, Jan. 21, by sewing 30 drawstring bags for Operation Smile.
In addition, they brought in items valued at $320 to make and fill the bags. Coloring books, crayons, small stuffed animals, toothbrushes, toothpaste, wash cloths, small bars of soap, and combs will be sent to Operation Smile along with the colorful bags.
Operation Smile was begun in 1982 by plastic surgeon Dr. William P. Magee, Jr. and his wife, Kathy, who was then a social worker and a nurse. The non-profit organization is based in Virginia Beach.
In March, 2013, Operation Smile provided more than 3.5 million comprehensive patient evaluations and over 200,000 free surgeries for children and young adults born with facial deformities.
In 2005, the volunteer medical team provided free surgeries for 8,359 children through international and local, in-country missions. During 2009, Operation Smile provided free surgeries for nearly 13,000 children and young adults suffering from cleft lips and/or cleft palates.
Teams travel to countries all over the world except Iraq where it is not safe to travel.
The teams have begun training doctors in their own countries with techniques for treating facial deformities.
