KEEP ON SMILING
Malibuites will be out in force for Operation Smile’s 30th Anniversary Gala on Sept. 28 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Operation Smile, an international children’s medical charity, will honor Smile Ambassadors Brooke Burke-Charvet and David Charvet, philanthropist Jill Grey, outdoor eclectic footwear company Sanuk, humanitarians Julia and Stephanie Argyros; Krista Jajonie and Daneia Sanadiki will also be honored. “Access Hollywood” host Billy Bush will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Gala co-chairs are locals Roma Downey and Mark Burnett as well as Sue Naegle, Jennifer Salke and Dr. Randy Sherman.
Operation Smile will present its Universal Smiles Award to Smile Ambassadors Brooke Burke-Charvet and David Charvet. Brooke is a successful host, actress, dancer and entrepreneur. She is co-host of ABC’s hit show “Dancing With The Stars.” She also won the big trophy as a contestant in season seven with her professional dance partner Derek Hough. As an Operation Smile Ambassador, she has helped raise funds and awareness for children in need worldwide.
David Charvet built his international fan base through his roles on the hit shows “Baywatch” and “Melrose Place.” “Baywatch” was one of the most watched television series in history, with more than one billion viewers in 42 countries. Charvet then morphed from pop culture heartthrob to major pop star, scoring runaway hits in both English and French on three albums released by Universal Music Group. He has sold more than 2.5 million albums. Together, Brooke and David are committed to helping Operation Smile transform the lives of children around the world.
Julia and Stephanie Argyros, Krista Jajonie and Daneia Sanadiki will receive the Operation Smile Founders Circle Award, which honors unique supporters who have made outstanding contributions as a family or group of committed individuals. In 2011, Stephanie Argyros, Krista Jajonie and Daneia Sanadiki launched their campaign, “Three Moms on a Mission,” to raise funds and awareness for children around the world who are suffering from cleft lips and cleft palates and to set a humanitarian example for their own young children. The three moms recently volunteered on an Operation Smile medical mission in Lima, Peru and Sanadiki also volunteered on a medical mission in Vietnam. George Argyros, the former U.S. ambassador to Spain, and his wife, Julia, hosted a reception at their Newport Beach home last year to create awareness for their daughter Stephanie’s campaign, and all four women hosted an event to benefit Operation Smile at the Bally South Coast Plaza boutique in April. Julia, Stephanie, Krista and Daneia feel it is crucial to make a difference for children not as fortunate as their own.
Operation Smile will present the Wallis Annenberg Award for Public Service to philanthropist Jill Grey. In 2010, Grey volunteered on her first Operation Smile medical mission in Fortaleza, Brazil where 125 free reconstructive surgical procedures were performed on children born with facial deformities. In March 2012 she joined an Operation Smile medical mission in Chiapas, Mexico where 132 procedures were performed. Both times, she was able to be with the children and their families before and after surgery, as well as in the operating room for a number of the procedures. The look of joy and gratitude on the faces of parents when they see their child for the first time after surgery is overwhelming and life changing. As the mother of three healthy children, she hopes to bring greater awareness and much needed funding to Operation Smile.
The Corporate Humanitarian Award will be presented to Sanuk, a division of Deckers Outdoor Corporation. Rooted in surfing and outdoor culture, the Sanuk brand specializes in fun, funky footwear. Taking its name from the Thai word for “fun,” the brand is best known for their patented Sidewalk Surfers and Yoga Mat Sandals. Founded by Southern California native and surfer Jeff Kelley, Sanuk products are distributed in more than 70 countries worldwide. Inspired by their slogan “Smile…Pass It On!”