VIA delivers care items to Operation Smile headquarters

The Village Improvement Association of Rehoboth Beach recently delivered needed supplies to Operation Smile global headquarters in Virginia Beach, Va.

Operation Smile, an affiliate organization of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, provides free reconstructive cleft surgeries to correct facial deformities in children worldwide. Left untreated, these children may suffer from malnutrition, social isolation and impaired speech.

Donated items included blankets, hospital gowns, handmade smile bags, smile dolls and splints. The bags contain personal items including hand mirrors so children can see how they look after surgery

The project was supported by summer fabric fund donations collected to go toward sewing supplies. VIA members placed containers in their homes to collect loose change. Sunny Bay Cafe and Pineapple Princess pioneered business collections in Rehoboth Beach. Member gifts in kind totaled $5,632 in 2024.

Since 2019, VIA women have partnered with Operation Smile in providing 11 deliveries of vital materials to benefit children before and after life-changing surgeries.

Learn more at rehobothbeachvia.org.