Giving Back Made Easy with Smile Train's New Campaign

Smile Train launches 'Give Smiles' Campaign on biggest giving day of the year, Giving Tuesday to support children with untreated clefts around the world

NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of Giving Tuesday and the season of giving, Smile Train, the world's largest cleft organization, launched its new "Give Smiles" campaign to help more children around the world smile and live happier, healthier lives.

As a part of the campaign, Smile Train will roll out a series of testimonial videos that highlight a few of the organization's passionate supporters. In the unscripted videos, each supporter gives viewers insight into their personal connection with cleft and what ultimately inspires them to give smiles.

"We are so excited to celebrate Giving Tuesday and launch our new Give Smiles campaign," said Susannah Schaefer, CEO of Smile Train. "Our hope is to raise awareness and inspire giving to help children with untreated clefts around the world receive life-saving cleft surgery."

As a part of Giving Tuesday and the season of giving, a number of Smile Train supporters from around the world will be joining in the celebration. Below, please find an overview of key activities:

    --  Miss Universe Organization (November 21): To kick-off Giving Tuesday,
        Smile Train hosted an event with the Miss Universe Organization
        titleholders in Las Vegas. The Miss Universe contestants joined Smile
        Train in spreading smiles across the world by helping children living
        with untreated clefts in the developing world see their new smiles for
        the first time. The contestants participated in an activity where they
        decorated handheld mirrors for Smile Train's patients who have undergone
        cleft repair surgery. The mirrors will be given to the patients so that
        they can see their own beautiful smiles for the first time post surgery.
    --  Journey of Smiles to India (November 28): Smile Train is hosting a
        cocktail event at their  headquarters. The event will showcase the
        organization's new 360° virtual reality experience to India where
        viewers will see the journeys of Nisha and Vikas firsthand as they make
        their way to new smiles.
    --  Devin Thorpe's 'Streamathon' (November 28): Smile Train's CEO, Susannah
        Schaefer will be participating in a livestream on Giving Tuesday hosted
        by Devin Thorpe. The 'streamathon' will be live for 24 hours on Giving
        Tuesday, and Susannah will be live at 11:45am EST where she will be
        talking about Smile Train's unique model, and the organization's plans
        for Giving Tuesday. Devin Thorpe is a journalist, author, professional
        speaker, and founder of the Your Mark on the World Center, a
        mission-driven business working to solve the world's biggest problems.
    --  Chef Katsuji (November 28): Smile Train is partnering with BRAVO's Top
        Chef Contestant, Chef Katsuji, to raise awareness and funds for children
        with untreated clefts. Chef Katsuji will donate 20% of the proceeds from
        his restaurants on Giving Tuesday to Smile Train. Restaurants include:
        Mexikosher-NYC and Mexikosher-LA.
    --  Celebrity Culinary Event (November 28): In partnership with Glad, and
        their Glad-to-Give holiday campaign, Smile Train Philippines will be
        hosting a celebrity cooking event with Filipina TV personality, Danica
        Sotto-Pingris. Dubbed "Spread Smiles This Holiday", the afternoon
        cooking affair aims to teach the participants fun and exciting dishes
        they could easily prepare for their different reunions with their loved
        ones. Proceeds from the class will benefit Smile Train's local programs
        in the Philippines.
    --  Marian Rivera and Kultura (November 28): TV personality, actress, and
        Smile Train Ambassador, Marian Rivera, has partnered with Kultura, a
        chain of stores that specializes in locally-made products (from decors
        to jewelry, from clothes to souvenir items) as their new Brand
        Ambassador. As a part of her partnership, Kultura will give a portion of
        the proceeds made on Giving Tuesday to Smile Train.

To learn more about Smile Train or to make a donation and "Give Smiles" during this holiday season, visit: smiletrain.org/givesmiles. Follow Smile Train on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrain for new updates throughout the year.

About Smile Train
Smile Train provides free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children in developing countries. Through training local doctors and empowering partner hospitals around the world, we advance a sustainable solution and scalable model to treat clefts, drastically improving children's lives, including their ability to eat, breathe, and speak over time. To learn more about how Smile Train's sustainable approach means donations have both an immediate and long-term impact, please visit smiletrain.org.

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SOURCE Smile Train