The Smile Train

Relentless marketing. Dishonest to donors. A few years ago I got one of their compelling solicitations and I made a $ 100 donation to The Smile Train. I carefully checked the box on the donation form asking them not to contact me again for another donation for a year. No go. Ever since that time Smile train sends me solicitations every month or two, each plea more graphic in nature than the last. I’ve called them to ask them to stop but they ignored me. Once you make a donation, they are relentless, sending more and more entreaties for additional donations. I feel like I’m being stalked.

I definitely support Smile Train.
The organization helps to repair clefts in children and babies. Here in the US the procedure is done right after birth if a child is affected. We take that for granted. In other countries there is usually no such help for these children. And there can be serious stigmas attached. Not only does the condition affect their looks — it usually also affects their teeth, the way they eat food and drink — and the way they interract with others.
This organization mostly helps foreign children because they are the ones who lack health care access. Smile Train does not send expensive US doctors to these countries to perform these relatively simple — but life changing — surgeries. Instead they use funds to train local doctors how to perform the surgieries in their own countries. It ends up costing somethig like $ 250 per surgery. $ 250 to change the life of a child…
The adminsitration fees used to be paid by the Board Of Directors. I guess as the program has grown that is no longer possible. The good news is they now claim that the first time you donate — a portion of that amount goes towards the actual cleft repairs and another portion goes to admin costs — but every donation you make after your first one — 100% goes towards cleft repairs themselves.

Note: This is their worldwide headquarters. Donations can be phoned in at 1−800−932−9541. Donations can be mailed in to the following address: Smile Train, PO Box 96 208, Washington DC 20 090‑6208.
Or simply donate (whatever you can afford) online here…
The other day, I got a letter in the mail. On the envelope, it read «Make one gift and we’ll never ask for another donation again.»
I smiled until I opened the letter and saw pictures of children who cannot smile, let alone speak or eat properly, due to being afflicted with the deformity known as cleft lip.
Fortunately, cleft lip can be repaired via a procedure that costs as little as $ 250 and can be as brief as 45 minutes.
Unfortunately, very few people in the developing world, a place where cleft lip is tragically common, can afford to pay for their children to have the surgery performed.
That’s where The Smile Train comes into play. The Smile Train raises funds for the surgeries themselves and for the training of doctors in the procedure.
In Uganda, children with cleft lip are deemed «cursed by God.» They are often murdered or discarded shortly after birth.
Let us end such malediction and derision. Send The Smile Train money today, and may the happy roar of its engine drive away this needless misery forever.
Review #700 is dedicated to the children who cannot smile. I pray that they all know happiness and peace someday.
P. S. The Smile Train has some serious starpower on board, namely Eric Estrada, Reba McEntire, Howie Mandel, Bette Midler, Helena Bonham Carter, and last but not least, Robin Williams, man who could make a petrified mummy howl with laughter. Once the children heal from their surgeries, a «Mork and Mindy» marathon should be required viewing for them.