FOCUS attendees enable 25 children to have their cleft palates repaired

As many of you know, FOCUS Publications decided once again, to utilize “the power of numbers” to raise money for a worthy cause at its recently completed 8th annual conference. In 2007 that charity was the Alpha-1 Foundation. In 2008, that charity was The Smile Train Foundation a group of volunteers that sends teams of doctors to developing countries to train that country’s physicians in how to perform cleft palate surgery on children.  
 
While at the FOCUS conference attendees saw a brief film on the problem and on the work of this charity.  The “hat” was then passed (and games in the exhibit hall were dedicated) for the good of the cause and we’re happy to report that $3,102 was raised. FOCUS Publications then matched that amount so as to bring the total raised to a significant $6,204!
 
Since donations to the Smile Train Foundation are 100% given over to the work being done by the charity (no donations go to administration or fund raising) and since the repair of a child’s cleft palate in a developing country averages only $250, the $6,204 raised means that 25 children will have their lives changed for the better from what was done at the FOCUS conference. The chairman of the conference, Bob Miglino, wishes to thank all those attendees who gave so generously (numerous people gave $100 checks) to this excellent cause.  “This was a good idea for a great cause, Miglino said. By everyone giving just an average of $1 or so, 25 children will benefit and not have to deal with being ostracized and humiliated, something that happens regularly to children in developing countries who are born with cleft palates.  I want to thank all of FOCUS’s attendees for their generosity as well as the FOCUS “crew” who worked hard to make this happen. I also wish to thank Jonathan Park from the Smile Train Foundation who attended the conference and brought the film that was shown and the literature that was passed out, further educating attendees on the extent of this problem. I believe we will do this every year from now on, that is, pick a worthy charity and ask our attendees if they might like to help out by contributing. FOCUS will then match the amount raised with everyone coming out the winner for it. Attendees of the FOCUS Conference are like a family and they proved it again this year for The Smile Train foundation as they did last year for the Alpha-1 Foundation - family comes to the aid of those who need help.”        
 
Those interested in more information on the Smile Train Foundation and/or those who might be interested in donating further, can visit their website at www.smiletrain.org. Attendees should also feel free to send an e-mail to conference chairman Bob Miglino regarding charities that they feel are worthy of this help.  E-mails can be directed to BobM@Foocus.com   We’ll see everyone at next year’s FOCUS conference, May 14-16, 2009 at Walt Disney’s Coronado Resort in Orlando.