Giving Back Made Easy with Smile Train's New Campaign

PR71201

NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

-- Smile Train launches 'Give Smiles' Campaign on biggest giving day of the

year, Giving Tuesday to support children with untreated clefts around the world

In celebration of Giving Tuesday and the season of giving, Smile Train

(http://www.smiletrain.org/ ), the world's largest cleft organization, launched

its new "Give Smiles" campaign to help more children around the world smile and

live happier, healthier lives.

As a part of the campaign, Smile Train will roll out a series of testimonial

videos that highlight a few of the organization's passionate supporters. In the

unscripted videos, each supporter gives viewers insight into their personal

connection with cleft and what ultimately inspires them to give smiles.  

"We are so excited to celebrate Giving Tuesday and launch our new Give Smiles

campaign," said Susannah Schaefer, CEO of Smile Train. "Our hope is to raise

awareness and inspire giving to help children with untreated clefts around the

world receive life-saving cleft surgery."

As a part of Giving Tuesday and the season of giving, a number of Smile Train

supporters from around the world will be joining in the celebration. Below,

please find an overview of key activities:

    -- Miss Universe Organization (November 21): To kick-off Giving Tuesday,

       Smile Train hosted an event with the Miss Universe Organization

       titleholders in Las Vegas. The Miss Universe contestants joined Smile

       Train in spreading smiles across the world by helping children living

       with untreated clefts in the developing world see their new smiles

       for the first time. The contestants participated in an activity where

       they decorated handheld mirrors for Smile Train's patients who have

       undergone cleft repair surgery. The mirrors will be given to the

       patients so that they can see their own beautiful smiles for the

       first time post surgery.

    -- Journey of Smiles to India (November 28): Smile Train is hosting a

       cocktail event at their headquarters. The event will showcase the

       organization's new 360-degree virtual reality experience to India

       where viewers will see the journeys of Nisha and Vikas firsthand as

       they make their way to new smiles.

    -- Devin Thorpe's 'Streamathon' (November 28): Smile Train's CEO,

       Susannah Schaefer will be participating in a livestream on Giving

       Tuesday hosted by Devin Thorpe. The 'streamathon' will be live for 24

       hours on Giving Tuesday, and Susannah will be live at 11:45am EST

       where she will be talking about Smile Train's unique model, and the

       organization's plans for Giving Tuesday. Devin Thorpe is a

       journalist, author, professional speaker, and founder of the Your

       Mark on the World Center, a mission-driven business working to solve

       the world's biggest problems.

    -- Chef Katsuji (November 28): Smile Train is partnering with BRAVO's

       Top Chef Contestant, Chef Katsuji, to raise awareness and funds for

       children with untreated clefts. Chef Katsuji will donate 20% of the

       proceeds from his restaurants on Giving Tuesday to Smile Train.

       Restaurants include: Mexikosher-NYC and Mexikosher-LA.

    -- Celebrity Culinary Event (November 28): In partnership with Glad, and

       their Glad-to-Give holiday campaign, Smile Train Philippines will be

       hosting a celebrity cooking event with Filipina TV personality,

       Danica Sotto-Pingris. Dubbed "Spread Smiles This Holiday", the

       afternoon cooking affair aims to teach the participants fun and

       exciting dishes they could easily prepare for their different

       reunions with their loved ones. Proceeds from the class will benefit

       Smile Train's local programs in the Philippines.

    -- Marian Rivera and Kultura (November 28): TV personality, actress, and

       Smile Train Ambassador, Marian Rivera, has partnered with Kultura, a

       chain of stores that specializes in locally-made products (from

       decors to jewelry, from clothes to souvenir items) as their new Brand

       Ambassador. As a part of her partnership, Kultura will give a portion

       of the proceeds made on Giving Tuesday to Smile Train.

To learn more about Smile Train or to make a donation and "Give Smiles" during

this holiday season, visit: smiletrain.org/givesmiles

(https://www.smiletrain.org/lp/holidays/ ). Follow Smile Train on Twitter and

Instagram @SmileTrain for new updates throughout the year.

About Smile Train

Smile Train provides free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to

children in developing countries. Through training local doctors and empowering

partner hospitals around the world, we advance a sustainable solution and

scalable model to treat clefts, drastically improving children's lives,

including their ability to eat, breathe, and speak over time. To learn more

about how Smile Train's sustainable approach means donations have both an

immediate and long-term impact, please visit https://www.smiletrain.org.

SOURCE: Smile Train

CONTACT: Smile Train, Nijha Diggs, Director of Public Relations, +1

646.751.3231, NDiggs@smiletrain.org; Edelman, Lauren Hare, Senior Account

Supervisor, +1 212.704.4493, Lauren.Hare@edelman.com