Everybody deserves the chance to smile. President Julia Carbone strives to give kids with cleft lips and other facial deformities this chance by bringing Operation Smile to Wakeland.

“I decided to start Operation Smile because I have a big interest in humanitarian causes and I would like to do anything I can to help raise the spirits of the kids that need it,” Carbone said.

Operation Smile is a worldwide organization geared toward raising awareness for children with facial defects. Along with Carbone, social media officer Anna Vaillancourt helped to create Wakeland’s chapter of the organization.

“We hold monthly meetings where we make crafts for the kids at the children’s hospital, like cards and friendship bracelets. Then, our officers go on service trips and deliver the things we’ve made to the kids,” Vaillancourt said.

Club members can earn service hours for participation and an increased sense of community as they collaborate with their peers. 

“I hope that by bringing Operation Smile to Wakeland we can make little kids feel happy while also creating new friendships and bonds with everyone at club meetings.,” Vaillancourt said.

Meetings are held in Coach Cobb and Mrs. Cone’s room (H110) on the first Thursday of every month and work on a first-come-first serve basis. The next meeting will take place on Thursday, October 6 during the first half of power-lunch, where members will be bringing supplies for and creating friendship bracelets. Don’t miss it!