Smokin’ in McMinnville has its official beer vendor for this year’s barbecue event scheduled for Aug. 11-13. McMinnville officials will allow Smile Train to fill that slot.
“We did,” said Martha Pierce, when questioned if her local organization, Andelyn’s Scramble for Smiles, had turned in its application for the event.
Pierce says she held off on the application to give another non-profit the opportunity to apply. None did.
“If another organization wants to do it next year, we will step aside and give them a chance,” she added.
The local organization raises money for Smile Train through various sales, participation in the Autumn Street Fair and an annual October golf tournament. All proceeds are donated to Smile Train.
Smile Train’s mission is to help poor children in developing countries who are suffering with un-repaired cleft, a birth defect of the lip or palate. A cleft lip is an opening in the upper lip between a newborn’s mouth and nose. A cleft palate is created when the roof of the mouth has a hole in it. Babies can be born with one or both.
Through donations, surgery is offered at no cost to the families of the children and more than 100,000 are performed each year. One corrective surgery costs $250, a 90 percent reduction as Smile Train provides free equipment, free education, training and ongoing financial support in the programs it starts.
Pierce became actively involved in Smile Train over three years ago when a family member was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. Medical insurance paid for corrective surgery. Andelyn’s Scramble for Smiles began as a way to help children who are not as lucky and are living with the condition.
Only one beer vendor is allowed per city-sponsored event.