SMILES; Important Stuff

You may already have read this but it bears repeating (and having in another location for more to see). A short little story for you: When I was a young girl, about 8 or 9, my mother sent me in to a grocery store by myself to buy some eggs and milk. Back then, way before the wrinkles took over, I had these adorable little dimples that people were always commenting on and I was even told on a few occasions that they transformed my face. Well, my little 9 year old self was walking down the dairy isle and an older gentleman was walking toward me. I must have been feeling pretty special since I was doing an important errand all by myself so I smiled at him. He stopped me and said something to the effect of: “Sweetie (or something similar), there are a lot of things that will take you far in life but that smile is by far your best bet for getting everything you could possibly want.” Obviously his comments made a long lasting impression on me since I am sharing that story with you now. And because of his advise, I have, many times over, learned the indisputable value of a smile and what it can do for others when you give them one! Imagine, not being able to smile! Imagine not getting smiles from others. Recently I learned more about an organization that Close To My Heart sponsors. We had a presentation from the founders of an organization called Operation Smile during convention last week and during this production there was not a dry eye in the place. Those of you who know me well know that I went through about 5 tissues and the presentation wasn’t that long! You just can not imagine how absolutely beautiful these children look, after years of suffering, with just one operation that only costs $240. Here’s one example that touched my heart: http://www.operationsmile.org/testimonials/thanh/, please check it out! I have totally fallen in love with that boy and have committed myself to helping other children with this affliction. You will probably get sick of me repeating myself, and normally I am not one to ask for money for anything, but I am determined to help as many children as possible get the operation they need to have a real smile for the first time in their lives. I had no idea that most times their deformities also prevent them from eating or talking and that many of them develop horrible infections which can eat away at the rest of their face and eventually lead to death. MY EYES ARE OPEN and my heart is hurting for these kids. It has now been 3 years since I started with CTMH and so far I have not often asked for help in supporting our charitable organizations. Since Corporate has decided to put all of our (consultants) fund raising efforts toward this ONE charity I am now asking! I will continue to ask and I will have many opportunities in the future for your help. Sometimes you will get something from me for your donation; sometimes what you would normally pay for a class or a crop will just automatically go to O.S. One of the biggest and easiest ways you can help is to just round up your order totals to the nearest dollar. And if you can't help financially, please keep me and my efforts for these children in your prayers. Here’s my goal: to raise $240 each month for one child’s smile! I will be keeping track and will let all of you know how “we” are doing.