As the owner of Malibu’s Veronica Skin Care, Veronica Barton-Schwartz knows a thing or two about beauty. As a longtime supporter of Operation Smile, she knows nothing is more precious than giving a child something to smile about.
But thousands of children around the world do not have that luxury-a simple thing many of us take for granted.
They are born with severe facial deformities like cleft palates, which often make them feel like outcasts even in their own communities.
That is where Operation Smile comes in. The organization’s tireless doctors and volunteers travel the world helping to repair little faces and giving children and their families a reason to smile.
To assist in this valuable cause, Barton-Schwartz organized a charity and world premiere of the film, “A Cure to War: Six Degrees of Humanity.” A group of dedicated locals turned up at her skin and body care center for a special screening last Wednesday evening. The film by Patrick Heaphy will help raise awareness of Operation Smile’s mission and its message.
“It’s important that people know how Operation Smile began,” Barton-Schwartz explained. “In 1989, when President Ronald Reagan and General John Vessy sent the largest group of Americans into Vietnam since the fall of Saigon, they weren’t soldiers, but rather surgeons. What began as an initiative to help return the remains of soldiers lost during the Vietnam War would build friendships that would lead to the relations between the United Stated and Vietnam, and today, continues to add one smile at a time to the already astounding 30,000 Vietnamese children and young adults who have been helped by Operation Smile.”
Barton-Schwartz became involved in the organization thanks to one of Operation Smile’s biggest boosters-local actress, author and producer Roma Downey.
“Roma told me about these amazing doctors who would donate their time and money to help operate on these beautiful children, and I wanted to do something to help,” Barton-Schwartz said. “I’ve been involved with Operation Smile for six years and this will be my third event at the spa.”
The surgery doesn’t cost much. For $240 you can provide a cleft lip surgery that will change a child’s life. That operation and the difference it makes is priceless.
“To see these children smile and listen to them laugh is a miracle,” Barton-Schwartz says.
Downey is thankful for Barton-Schwartz’s friendship and involvement. As an Operation Smile ambassador for many years, she knows that every little bit counts, especially in these tough economic times.
“Veronica graciously and generously stepped forward and offered to host the event at her spa,” Downey said. “It is a beautiful and fun night.”
Downey herself has made several fundraising films on behalf on the organization. She has also gone on several Operation Smile missions around the world and has seen the impressive results of the operations first hand.
“I have seen up close the difference they make in the lives of these children. It is transformational. I have traveled with the group to Vietnam and Honduras. Then my teenage daughter Reilly and I went to Nicaragua last summer and my husband Mark Burnett and all three of our children attended a mission together in Jordan a few years ago. It was so moving to get to share the experience as a family and it was a trip we will never forget.”
Operation Smile hosted an even larger event on Friday at its annual gala in Beverly Hills, complete with red carpet walks and packs of paparazzi.
Whether large or small, Operation Smile seems to touch everyone who gets involved.
“It’s easy when you have so many wonderful people who want to help and donate their time and effort,” Barton-Schwartz said. “I feel blessed to have so many wonderful friends and clients. Beauty starts from the inside and this organization proves that.”