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Operation Smile’s New York Smile Event was
held Thursday, May 1, 2014 at Cipriani Wall Street in New
York City. Operation Smile is the world's largest medical
charity of its kind providing free cleft surgery and care. Michael
Strahan,
co-host of Live
with Kelly and Michael, kicked off the evening
welcoming the more
than 500 supporters to the 12th Annual
New York Smile Event. NBCNEWS’ Natalie Morales served
as Master of Ceremonies. Singer and Tony-winning actress, Jennifer
Holliday, performed. The evening raised $1 million for
the organization.
The evening honored Lisa and Mat
Lori, along with Kathy
Van Zeeland and her husband, Bruce
Makowsky, with the Founders Circle Award. The
Lori's, Mrs. Van Zeeland and Mr. Makowsky have helped
Operation Smile share the joy of a simple smile through
their many fundraisers and initiatives. Most notably, they
launched an extraordinary project called, The Three Little
Bears, named after the Lori’s three sons, Zachary, Luke and
Griffin, who were all born with facial paralysis. The Three
Little Bears initiative was developed, designed and
co-created by childhood friends, Lisa Lori, a writer, and
Kathy Van Zeeland, a handbag designer. The two families have
raised nearly $1 million for the organization.
The Smile Event also honored actor Sharif
Atkins with the Universal Smile Award for his work as an
official Smile Ambassador. Since
2011, Mr. Atkins has been a Smile Ambassador strongly
supporting the organization's global efforts. He has raised
countless dollars to heal smiles through Crowdrise as well
as National Smile Month in 2012, which helped provide
life-changing surgery for 50 children. He also volunteered
on a mission in Ecuador in 2013. Adding to the joy of the
evening, Sharif proposed to his girlfriend, Bethany
Hotchkiss, on stage to a roar of applause, as the event came
to
a close.
Microsoft Corporation received the Corporate
Humanitarian Award. Microsoft’s continued generosity has
launched Operation Smile to become a truly 21st century
organization. Leveraging resources and partnerships,
Microsoft has facilitated donations of more than $1 million
in technology, in addition to invaluable time and commitment
from its team to Operation Smile’s mission. Michael D.
Robinson accepted the award.
Other notable guests included honoree Gabriela
Isler (Miss Universe), Erin
Brady (Miss USA), Elvira
Devinamira (Miss Indonesia), Jay
Manuel (Stylist/Producer), June
Ambrose (Stylist), Nicole
Murphy (Model), Sessilee
Lopez (Model), Alisyn
Camerota and Bianca
Ryan (America's Got Talent)
www.operationsmile.org |