Operation Smile, an international children’s medical charity, honored Smile Ambassadors Zachary Levi and Giuliana and Bill Rancic at its 10th annual Smile Gala on September 23, 2011 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
The organization honored President of NBC Entertainment Jennifer Salke and her son Henry who was born with a cleft, as well as philanthropist Sue Tsao. Special guests included Operation Smile Ambassadors Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, Billy Bush, Brooke Burke-Charvet and David Charvet, Sharif Atkins and Megan Follows. More than $1.2 million was raised to benefit the organization.
Every three minutes, a child is born with a cleft. One in 10 of those children will die before their first birthday. The Smile Gala helps to provide hope and healthy futures for children worldwide. Operation Smile provides free surgery for children suffering from clefts, to heal their smiles and transform their lives.
Operation Smile’s John Connor Humanitarian Service Award honors those who have demonstrated concern and love for their fellow man through their actions and deeds. Zachary Quinto presented the award to Zachary Levi, who stars in the NBC show “Chuck.”
Salaam Coleman-Smith, President, The Style Network, presented the Operation Smile Universal Smiles Award to Giuliana and Bill Rancic, who have dedicated their energy to improving the lives of others.
Director, producer and choreographer Adam Shankman presented the Operation Smile Founders Circle Award to Jennifer and Henry Salke, which honors unique supporters who have made outstanding contributions as a family.
Operation Smile Co-Founders Kathy and Dr. William Magee presented the Wallis Annenberg Award for Public Service to philanthropist Sue Tsao.
Operation Smile, headquartered in Virginia with a presence in more than 60 countries, has a network of more than 5,000 medical volunteers from 76 countries who are dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children. Since its founding in 1982, Operation Smile has provided more than 2 million patient evaluations and conducted over 200,000 free surgical procedures for children and young adults born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.
