SMILE Blanket Challenge
Operation Smile is a global, volunteer-based medical charity that provides free surgery and complete care to children with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial differences in low- and middle-income countries. We train local medical professionals, ship donated medical equipment and supplies, conduct research and provide year-round complete care through a network of 31 local comprehensive care centres. Together with our global partners, Operation Smile’s 6,000+ medical volunteers work in over 60 countries, delivering safe surgery and related care directly to children in need, changing their lives forever.
“While we support Operation Smile financially, we were also looking for a way to engage our employees beyond donations in a fun team-building activity. Our blanket-making evening was a huge success! No matter the crafty skill level, every employee enjoyed taking part and worked in pairs to make at least one blanket, knowing that it would provide comfort to a child on a mission when they needed it most.”
– Darcy Huda, Johnson & Johnson
Why SMILE Blankets?
In a fun and competitive atmosphere, your team will contribute firsthand to our medical missions by creating fleece SMILE Blankets. These blankets are wrapped around a child immediately after their surgery – keeping them warm and comfortable while they recover.
Thousands of children every year receive a SMILE Blanket. These blankets are often the first new blanket they’ve ever owned. We need your team’s help to keep the supply of SMILE Blankets growing as we seek to double our impact over the next five years.
Wow - We’re Totally In! How Will This Work?
A child’s cleft lip or cleft palate can be repaired for as little as $240 and in as few as 45 minutes. In that same time, your group can participate in two rounds of making SMILE blankets, dividing up into teams and getting creative along the way! You set the fundraising goal and your team will be included in our Longest Day of SMILES® celebration that happens every Summer Solstice. Go to www.longestdayofsmiles.ca and check out your progress, and ours! The suggested goal is $240 for every SMILE Blanket created.
Count Us In! How do I book this?
To book your own SMILE Blanket Challenge, please contact:
Mary Grant
Coordinator, Community Volunteer Engagement
Operation Smile Canada
