THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 3, 1996 TAG: 9602030323
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
Volunteers with Operation Smile, a non-profit medical organization that provides reconstructive surgery to children worldwide, free of charge, will depart on Feb. 11 for a mission to the Philippines.
The organization hopes to treat at least 650 children in four cities during the two-week mission. A team of 124 volunteers will take 20,000 pounds of medical supplies and cargo with them.
Operation Smile will train emergency medical technicians while in the Philippines, and is working to help establish a 911 emergency service there.
Operation Smile was founded in 1982 by Dr. William P. Magee and his wife, Kathleen, who had joined a one-time medical mission to the Philippines. Seeing the need for continued surgical help there, the Magees founded the organization that today helps children with facial deformities in the United States and 12 other countries.
A dinner-dance to raise money for the mission will be held at 7 tonight at the San Lorenzo Spiritual Center in Virginia Beach. Tickets are $15 per person, attire is casual and music will be provided by Manila Sound and Bernas D.J. by CNB