Woman’s Club makes comfort blankets for Operation Smile
Vernon. Children born with cleft palate or cleft lip have difficulty eating, breathing, speaking and being socially accepted. Surgery can transform a child’s life.
| 05 Jan 2021 | 03:14
The Vernon Township Woman’s Club makes fleece blankets for patients like Lexxi, to provide a source of comfort before and after surgery (Photo provided)
Lexxi, an eight-year-old Operation Smile patient from Colombia, beams with her new smile while holding an earlier photo of herself. Prior to her surgery, Lexxi had difficulty eating and breathing, and was bullied at school.(Photo provided)
In its continuing mission to make the world a brighter place, the GFWC Vernon Township Woman’s Club has been making fleece blankets for children undergoing cleft palate surgery.
The young patients are beneficiaries of Operation Smile, a nonprofit agency that performs the free surgery on children around the world, particularly in areas where medical help is needed the most.
“We make these adorable, soft fleece blankets so the children have a source of comfort before and after they receive their new smiles,” said Karen Rothstadt, the club’s International Relations chair. She said the club shipped 22 blankets to Operation Smile’s headquarters and is always in need of fleece to continue making more.
Children born with cleft palate or cleft lip have difficulty eating, breathing, speaking and being socially accepted. Surgery can transform a child’s life in as little as 45 minutes at a cost of just $240 thanks to the doctors who donate their services. Operation Smile also provides comprehensive care including dentistry, psychological services and speech therapy, and trains local medical professionals to provide ongoing treatment.
The fleece blanket project is just one of the many acts of kindness provided by the Vernon Township Woman’s Club, which is among 27 groups in the Highlands District of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs. Women of all ages and from all towns, who share a commitment to volunteerism, are invited to join and participate in the generous activities coordinated for the local community and around the world since 1972.
To learn more about the club, or to donate fleece or funds, visit VTWC.org or call Joan at 973-827-0804.