St. Mary’s College marks record fundraising year for Operation Smile

Students at St. Mary’s College have marked a record year for the high school’s annual Operation Smile campaign.

The 2021 campaign, officially launched at the school Oct. 13 and held with various fundraising activities during the week of Oct. 18 “was an enormous success,” said Rita Trecroce, St. Mary’s College French Immersion teacher who guided students in their fundraising activities this year.

“In one week we raised $7,400 for cleft lip and palate surgeries worldwide, which equals 31 new smiles.”

“I contacted Operation Smile to let them know that we would be sending a cheque and they were so impressed with our campaign that the CEO of the organization made a Zoom call right to my classroom to congratulate and thank my students. It was amazing,” Trecroce told SooToday Friday.

Operation Smile is a nonprofit organization that provides life-changing surgeries for children in developing countries with cleft lips or palates.

2021 marks the 15th consecutive year St. Mary’s College students have stepped up to participate in raising funds to pay for those life changing surgeries.

The operations cost $240 per child.

11 surgeries, at a cost of $2,640, was the original goal for St. Mary’s students in 2021.

11 St. Mary’s students pooled their talents and energy - including runaway sales of hoodies - into this year’s fundraiser.