Fordham University: Songs For Smiles

During the Fall 2010 semester, the Operation Smile Club at Fordham University held its first ever Songs for Smiles event. Featuring live performances from talented bands and individuals, tables that sold hundreds of CDs and various apparel, delicious catered food, and a raffle, the premier Songs for Smiles event was extremely successful; boasting a record-breaking attendance and raising enough money for two children to receive constructive surgery. This was also the first time that I got to really work with the whole club on a project, and because of that I felt as if I, entering the club as a freshman that didn’t really know anyone, had grown closer to my fellow members and further established myself within the club. The event was not only a profitable fundraiser, but also a bonding experience. Because of these reasons, the Fordham Operation Smile team and myself immediately and unanimously decided that hosting a second Songs for Smiles event would be a must during the Spring 2011 semester.

Like the first event, the Spring Songs for Smiles required a great deal of preparation, involvement, and dedication from everyone in the club. During one meeting months before the date of the event, myself and the rest of the club were split up into various committees, such as talent, which would recruit and organize a list of performers, and food, which would decide what food should be served at the event and then order it. As the committees began their work and found themselves closer and closer to the date of the event, we realized that we still had so much to do. Planning an on-campus event is no easy task, and while we had finally secured a location for Songs for Smiles, we still had to finalize our budget, appeal for that budget, and order party favors and the food. Consequently, our president Eliza Boggia, treasurer-to-be Linda Popowytsch, and myself spent numerous hours for the next few weeks in 408; our school’s designated office for student affairs and organizations. Here we developed and submitted our budget, chose and ordered the food and party decorations, and met with the head of student affairs to discuss various concerns. I had previously mentioned that the Senior Smile event was my most “rewarding” experience so far with the Operation Smile Club at Fordham, however the entire procedure of the second Songs for Smiles event was certainly the hardest and most difficult. While the hours spent in 408 were long, I am quite grateful for them because, in a way, they prepared me so much for the work I will be doing throughout the next few years as co-president. After this “hard part” was finished, we all grew more excited for the event, and before we knew it, it was May 4th and most of the club was congregating at 4 pm in our school atrium to commence the set up process. Once the stage had been properly set up, balloons blown up and scattered amongst the atrium, Christmas lights strewn across the ceiling and wrapped around pillars, tables decorated, and the buffet prepared, the club was in relief and was ready to enjoy the event. Throughout the night, as the nearby Empire State Building was lit up blue in honor of Operation Smile, students and guests listened to awesome live performances, decorated white t-shirts that were to be given to Operation Smile patients, browsed CDs, records, and apparel for sale, helped themselves to dinner and dessert from the buffet, and enjoyed a wonderful multi-media presentation by our president Eliza Boggia that covered her mission trip with Operation Smile to Bangladesh. Like the first Songs for Smiles, this one was extremely successful, and we raised over $1,000! Each surgery costs $240, so that’s enough to pay for at least four children to receive surgery! Fordham University has only begun to help Operation Smile by raising awareness and funds with its Songs for Smiles events, which myself and the rest of the club definitely plan to continue every semester.

Fordham University: Senior Smile Collection Event

Both retired NBA player John Salley and philanthropic financier Donald Trump Jr. slowly paced the stage of the posh Cipriani Wall Street venue, microphones in hands, as they facilitated an auction and persuaded guests to donate thousands of dollars to Operation Smile, which was hosting its annual Senior Smile event that evening on May 5^th, 2011. This was, of course, the whole point of the beautifully orchestrated event, which every year not only brings further awareness, but also millions of dollars to an amazing cause. John Salley was all too familiar with this important goal, and joked to the audience that they should “keep drinking” so that they will end up donating more than they had planned. Glamorous and, fortunately, generous guests laughed at such rehearsed jokes as they reached into their wallets and grabbed their checkbooks while others quickly filled out auction cards that had been placed throughout their tables. That was where I, along with approximately fifteen other Fordham University volunteers, came in and commenced our significant roles in the process. Our task was to record and then collect these numerous donations from our assigned tables so that they could ultimately be accounted for. Therefore, after the auction had finished and guests left their tables to leave the event or continue the celebration at the after-party, the results of the auction were put together and then organized by myself and the rest of the Fordham Operation Smile team. As usual, our founder, leader, and president Eliza Boggia took initiative and made sure that every donation was properly accounted for. “We gotta get this done, guys” was a phrase I recall hearing often. Despite the colossal number of donation cards and the seemingly infinite pages of guest lists, we finished the job, successfully recording each donation and its according patron. However, this was certainly not the only task that we tackled. Although more was asked of us at the smaller Junior Smile event, which was previously blogged about by Operation Smile Club at Boston University president James Reid, the Fordham University volunteers and myself helped assist the organization of the event and served as right hands for the head employees of the Operation Smile New York offices.

           

            Hi, my name is Daniel Dalena, and next year I will be a sophomore at Fordham University and  co-president of the school’s Operation Smile club. While I have only worked with the club for a year, I can absolutely testify that the Senior Smile event described above was the most pleasing and rewarding experience I have endured with the club so far. Behind the almost blinding glitz and glamour of the luxurious setting and guests, whom consist of the occasional celebrity, I was able to witness a monumental and wonderful moment that not only exhibits the driving force behind such non-profit charities such as Operation Smile, but also left me grinning like an idiot as I watched John Salley and Donald Trump Jr. joke on stage while simultaneously raising hundreds of thousands of dollars. It is the funds raised at benefits like the Senior Smile event that allow Operation Smile to forever change the lives of over 150,000 children and young adults in more than sixty countries across the globe. To take part in this event was an honor, and I am incredibly grateful and excited that I will be provided the privilege of doing so again for the next several years with the Operation Smile club at Fordham University. 

U-Voice Bangladesh 2011: Eliza Boggia

At the beginning of this year, Operation Smile at Fordham University founder and president, Eliza Boggia, packed her bag and headed off to pilot the first U-Voice University Student Mission. Eliza went through an rigorous application process, received online training and joined one of the first Operation Smile Medical Missions in Bangladesh. Her job was to record the stories of the many patients and families whose lives were changed by the organization. Her insights not only paved the way for future university student involvement but also provided organization with touching stories to spread awareness and touch the hearts of thousands of Operation Smile supporters. Co-founder of Operation Smile Bill Magee always says, "Reason leads to conclusions, but emotions lead to action." Statistics of how many children are born with facial deformities can only do so much to inspire others. By looking into the lives of individuals, Operation Smile can show others how vital these surgeries really are. It's hard to imagine what life would be like without the ability to eat, speak, or smile like everyone else. Eliza recorded precious stories about the struggles these patients faced after surgery and how their lives were dramatically changed after surgery. Her role as a photo journalist is crucial to the long term success of the organization. We are proud to say that the Northeast region has produced such a strong leader, and we are excited to see how the new mission initiative progresses to include new applicants.

For a closer look at Eliza's stories, check out her club blog Fordham Smiles

Boston University: Park Clean Up

This Saturday morning, Operation Smile at Boston University worked to clean up a local park. Although Operation Smile is primarily committed to raising money and awareness to provide surgeries for children with facial deformities, the organization fully supports community service. Student Programs is focused on creating a generation of leaders who are committed to service both locally and abroad.
 
We got up early and headed together to Ringer Park in Allston, a nearby neighborhood where many BU students work, live, and play. Working in conjunction with The Parents and Community Build Group, Inc. and the Ringer Park Partnership Group, our club worked to pick up trash, sweep sidewalks, rake and bag leaves, plant flowers, and clean debris. This was an oppirtunity for club members to get to know each other, spread awareness, and give back to our community. We were given tools and a list of instructions, and given freedom to clean up the park when and where we could. This project really showed us easy it was to volunteer. Unlike fundraisers or regular awareness events, we could easily join onto an existing organization to make a difference. Check out what you can do in your community! It was fun to meet and share stories with other passionate young volunteers who were eager to clean up a park they have lived by for years. We left feeling like we made a difference and excited to tackle another community service event next semester.