“My specialty is making people laugh. So, when I heard that I could help a child smile for the first time in their life by joining The Smile Train, I got on board. It’s incredible the number of children’s lives transformed by The Smile Train every day. I’m a proud supporter of The Smile Train and encourage all my friends and family to join me, as I hope you will, too.”
— Bette Midler
The Smile Train announced its newest supporter, an actress and entertainer who has made millions laugh out loud—Bette Midler. Today, she joins The Smile Train to help thousands of poor children smile for the first time in their lives.
When Ms. Midler spotted a small black and white Smile Train ad in The New York Times last October, she made a generous donation that will transform the lives of 50 children with cleft lip and palate. But, she didn’t stop there. She used her persuasive talents to tell family and friends about The Smile Train, inspiring many of them to also lend their support.
“When a respected celebrity such as Bette Midler embraces our cause, the impact is remarkable, ” says DeLois Greenwood, Smile Train Vice President. “We are very lucky to have Ms. Midler as a supporter and we thank her for her help.”
It’s no surprise that Bette Midler joined The Smile Train. She bears a long legacy of philanthropy. In 1995, Bette Midler founded The New York Restoration Project (NYRP) aimed to help preserve city parks, gardens and public spaces. In 2002, she was honored by Governor George E. Pataki with the 2002 Parks and Preservation Award recognizing her outstanding generosity to New York’s parks and historic sites.
Joining The Smile Train’s Advisory Committee was a natural extension of Ms. Midler’s heartfelt commitment to help children with cleft. She explains, “My specialty is making people laugh. So, when I heard that I could help a child smile for the first time in their life by joining The Smile Train, I got on board. It’s incredible the number of children’s lives transformed by The Smile Train every day. I’m a proud supporter of The Smile Train and encourage all my friends and family to join me, as I hope you will, too.”
About The Smile Train
The Smile Train is dedicated to helping the millions of children in the world suffering from cleft lip and palate. Launched in 1999, The Smile Train has a unique strategy of empowering local doctors and hospitals in developing countries to help the children in their communities. This approach enables The Smile Train to provide cleft surgery that costs as little as $250 and takes as little as 45 minutes. Each year, in 51 countries, The Smile Train provides free cleft surgery to more than 35,000 children who would otherwise never receive it. The Smile Train receives no government support and instead relies on the support of generous individuals and organizations. 100% of all donations go towards programs as our Board pays for all non-program expenses.
If you’d like to know more about this organization, check out their site:
The Smile Train
