Outreach helps 11 kids around globe
Members of the GFWC Intermediate League of Butler started the new year knowing their efforts had made potentially life-saving operations possible for 11 children around the world.
Mary Jane Weisenstein of Butler, chairman of the club's international outreach committee, said she canvassed committee and league members for donations to be used to create themed baskets that were auctioned off to benefit Operation Smile at the organization's International Outreach Dinner Dec. 3.
Operation Smile works to correct cleft lips and cleft palates on children around the world, according to Greta Boyd, donor experience manager for the Virginia Beach, Va.-based Operation Smile.
Weisenstein said, “We had 14 baskets to auction off, and my friend said we would be lucky if we raised $500 and could afford to pay for three operations.
“We raised $1,428 and we were able to secure a matching amount,” said Weisenstein. “Operation Smile called and said we had a dollar-for-dollar match.”
Boyd said, “For gifts that were raised and donated in December we had an anonymous donor that would match donations dollar for dollar.”
“This doubled the Butler group's donation and allowed the money to go twice as far and have twice the impact,” said Boyd.
“For more than 30 years, GFWC clubwomen have been advocates for children who may have never known their names but will never forget their kindness,” said Boyd. “From children's hospital gowns, hand-sewn with love, to the incredible financial support GFWC clubs have provided over the years, we're so very grateful for this partnership.”
A cleft is a gap in the mouth that doesn't close in the early stages of pregnancy. It is estimated that, worldwide, a child is born every three minutes with a cleft, or one in every 500 to 750 births.
Fixing a cleft lip or palate isn't done simply for cosmetic reasons, said Yolanda Cypher, president of the Intermediate League of Butler.
“A cleft palate or a cleft lip can affect speech,” said Cypher. “It can lead to ear infections from not swallowing correctly; ear infections from fluid going down the eustachian tubes. It can affect nutrition because the mouth is part of the digestive system.”
Cypher added, “Children can suffer from bullying and isolation.”
Weisenstein said, ”An operation can cost between $270 and $360 depending on the severity of the cleft. With our match we will be able to help 11 children around the world.
“In the United States there are agencies for this sort of thing,” Weisenstein said. “But in many parts of the world these operations are literally life and death.”
Weisenstein said Operation Smile was one of several international outreach projects available for GFWC chapters to undertake.She said in the past the Butler group of 66 women has taken on international outreach projects such as the Shot at Life immunization project and the Heifer Hope effort which provides animals to farmers and indigent people in the Third World.
Boyd said, “Each club can select from 7 or 8 national partners as well as partners on a state or local level.”
As chairman of the international outreach committee, it was up to Weisenstein to pick the project the league would be involved with this year.
Weisenstein said, “You can't but feel badly for these children. It's not just cosmetic, for many it is really the difference between life and death.” She was assisted by the rest of the international outreach committee: Cathy Bronder, co-chairman; and Patti Donaldson, Carole Goldinger, Mickey Stewart, Cathy Champagne and Lois Cranmer.
