LOS ANGELES - Every year for the past nine years, Operation Smile, a worldwide children's medical charity, holds a gala event to honor those that have donated their time to humanitarian efforts. Among those that were honored this year were Actor Harrison Ford and Actor/Producer John Stamos. Hosted by AccessHollywood's Billy Bush and entertaining the crowd were the cast of famous TV show GLEE, attendees were touched by the stories and pleased by the performances.
Eric Chapman, president of Distinctive, Inc., and his wife attended the fundraiser at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA. Eric had heard about the charity through a friend, and after finding out more about it wanted to get involved. He also heard about the Gala and flew there to show his support for the cause.
Accepting the John Connor Humanitarian Service Award was Harrison Ford for his unbelievable efforts, in particular his efforts during the Haiti Earthquake where Harrison Ford, flying himself, made several trips over a two-day period to a remote dirt landing strip in Haiti and delivered a team of Operation Smile volunteers along with critical medical supplies.
Also receiving awards were long time supporters of Operation Smile actor/producer John Stamos and philanthropist Susan Casden were presented with the Universal Smile Award and Wallis Annenberg Public Service Award respectively.
Operation Smile is a non-profit service organization based in Norfolk, Virginia that provides cleft lip and palate repair surgeries to children worldwide. To date, Operation Smile has provided reconstructive surgery to over 150,000 children and young adults in more than 50 countries.
The need for quality care is critical. Cleft lip is the fourth most common birth defect in the US. Repair of a cleft palate or cleft lip may require multiple surgeries and children do not usually have that luxury without the help of Operation Smile and their supporters. This is why Eric Chapman has joined the team of Operation Smile along with his company, Distinctive, Inc., to raise $2000 to fund an entire mission to Peru.
You can help donate by clicking here: Distinctive Inc.'s Operation Smile Donation Page
