Operation Smile Gala: A Lū‘au for Hope
Operation Smile Honors Sherrie Rose & Stan Cook, Jaime Kailani, and Henry Nguyen at Los Angeles Smile Gala: A Luau for Hope
Brooke Burke to Serve as Gala Host. Jacki Jing to Emcee and Aleu Moana To Perform.
Gene Simmons, Robert & Leslie Zemeckis, Carmit Bachar, Sasha Colby, Sneha & Nick Merchant, The Rodosky Family, Veronica Barton Schwartz, and Scott Rigsby to Serve As Gala Co-Hosts and Honorary Committee
More than 300 guests will gather at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 6th for Operation Smile’s 26th annual Smile Gala: A Luau for Hope, an evening dedicated to expanding access to safe, life-changing surgery for children around the world. This year’s event will bring guests into the spirit of community care while highlighting Operation Smile’s work connecting Los Angeles to children and families across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Television personality and longtime Operation Smile Global Ambassador Brooke Burke will serve as host for the “tropical black tie” event, which will honor philanthropists Sherrie Rose of Alphapals and Stan Cook of Barefoot Dreams with the Founders Circle Award; artist, activist, filmmaker, musician, and humanitarian Jaime Kailani with the Cotto Changemaker Award; and LAFC Founding Director & Owner Henry Nguyen with the Hope Builder Award.
Operation Smile Co-Founder, President and CEO Kathleen S. Magee, B.S.N., M.S.W., M.Ed., and Co-Founder and CEO Emeritus Dr. William P. Magee Jr., D.D.S., M.D., will attend alongside other prominent guests.
"Los Angeles is always a powerful reminder of our biggest community of caring," said Kathy Magee, co-founder, president, and CEO of Operation Smile. "With Brooke Burke leading our celebration, we are reminded that our community is the engine of our mission. Together, through Operation 100, we are building hope by expanding access, bringing care closer to home, and creating a lasting impact.”
Since 1982, Operation Smile has believed that safe surgery is a universal human right. Today, more than 5 billion people — more than two-thirds of the world’s population — lack access to safe, affordable surgical care. In low-and middle-income communities, nine out of 10 people are left without care due to limited infrastructure, long distances to hospitals and a critical shortage of trained specialists.
Every three minutes, a child is born with a cleft condition. Without treatment, children can face serious health complications, including difficulty feeding, breathing, eating and speaking. In many communities, children with cleft conditions also experience social stigma, bullying and social isolation, while limited access to health care and financial resources can lead to uncertain futures.
Guests will enjoy sunset cocktails, cultural dance performances, live entertainment, silent and live auctions, and surprise performances.
The evening will celebrate the selfless supporters whose generosity helps transform lives, strengthen communities, and build sustainable local health systems around the world.
Operation Smile is a leading global nonprofit bridging the gap in access to essential surgeries and health care, starting with cleft surgery and comprehensive care. We provide medical expertise, training, mentorship, research and care through our dedicated staff and volunteers around the world, working alongside local governments, nonprofits and health systems, and supported by our generous donors and corporate partners. Visit operationsmile.org for more information.
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3617642-0
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3617642-2
