Operation Smile is a nonprofit organization that collects funding to help those in underdeveloped nations to get cleft palate surgery. The club, Operation Smile, led by Chevelle Obuobi-Donkor, ‘20, Maddie Lewis ‘20, Lindsey Coffey ‘20, and Tess Gray ‘21, aims to spread awareness of the greater nonprofit organization and to fundraise for the charity. 

The organization itself was founded in 1982 in Virginia Beach. The organization works with local medical professionals in each country they visit to operate on patients with cleft palates safely and effectively. Every $240 raised by Operation Smile can provide resources for one cleft palate surgery. 

In meetings, members at Hill spend time brainstorming ideas for fundraisers and preparing events. The club has around 30 members who meet once a week.

The Operation Smile club holds charity events year-round, ranging from bake sales to late-night events for the student body. Coming up in February, the club will hold their annual Valentine’s Day fundraiser where they will sell carnations, roses, and sing-a-grams. This is one of their major events.

Last summer, Obuobi-Donkor took a trip to Vietnam to see how Operation Smile can change people’s lives. 

“Seeing kids who had cleft palates, and knowing how most adults couldn’t help them, gave me perspective,” Obuobi-Donkor said. “It adds meaning to the work.” 

In the future, Seth Eilberg, the Operation Smile adviser, would like to organize an international trip for the 2020-2021 school year with the future leaders of the club so that they can interact with people who directly benefit from their work.

Students interested in joining the club should email one of the leaders or attend a meeting.