Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Ten: Smiles Make Me Smile

This one is going to take a bit of setup, so just keep smiling? Since August of 2014, I have been submitting photos to Johnson and Johnson's Donate a Photo app. It's pretty simple, I choose one of the current causes, add picture, and Johnson and Johnson donates $1 to that cause. So in 30 seconds or less, I can make a difference. I LOVE this app.
I try to donate to each cause at least once, but one of my top favorites is Operation Smile #UntillWeHeal. Did you now that a child is born with a cleft lip or cleft palate every three minutes? I didn't until I saw this adorable little girl on the app and wanted to know more. Every time I donate a photo, she makes me smile. 
I think we are all familiar with fitting in as children, but this isn't only about how a cleft palate or cleft lip appears, as you can see here: http://www.operationsmile.org/surgery/why-smiles. As you can see from the story, breastfeeding or feeding of any kind can be difficult of parents and result in undernourishment. Worse, parents, particularly in less privileged countries, may not feel equipped to handle a baby born with cleft lip or cleft palate, like Angeline who was abandoned in a pigpen at two months old. Thankfully, she was found and immediately adopted by a wonderful, loving couple who were able to get surgery for Angeline at age 2 through Operation Smile: http://www.operationsmile.org/patient-stories/angelines-story.
Operations Smile isn't just about helming smiles with surgery, it is about safe surgery for areas who may have medical access but not safelywith the #UntilWeHeal campaign:
UNTIL WE HEAL is a campaign to bring attention to the global lack of access to safe surgery. UNTIL WE HEAL is the first campaign to inspire and engage people to advocate for children who do not have access to the routine surgical care that could save their lives. UNTIL WE HEAL is bringing together the voices of people across the globe to call for safe surgery in every area of need. -http://www.untilweheal.org/about-movement
Today, I have donated my 100th photo in a row (466 total photos) - my first time with a streak this high, and I am super excited and smiling myself to be able to donate it to a smile and to offer the Donations by the Dozen daily donation to Operation Smile.  - it costs zero dollars and very little time each day to make a huge difference. I vote for your to smile while you read this and to download the app and find a cause you like. This smiley photo of my son having ripped his pants lifting someone to place decorations at his friends', Tom and Taylor Bogomolny's, wedding is one of my favorite pictures, so I obviously chose it for my 100 in a row celebration pic. If you use the app, you can monitor your own progress and see  your past photos, and you can also see how much of an impact the Donate a
Photo app is making.

I would also like to thank Operation Smile for always liking my Donate a Photos. I know how hard it is to keep up with social media, and every time they like my tweet, I again smile. Below is a video of the Vision of Operation Smile you might enjoy.
Thank you, Operation Smile #UntilWeHeal. Cheers to Charity and smiles 



No comments:

Post a Comment