140 Smiles

One of the best things about moving to the Bay Area is that I can attend some of the Social Media Conferences without having to get on an airplane.  I'm attending TWTRCON next weekend!

When I registered, I also signed up for the pre-party which will benefit Operation Smile. I know about Operation Smile because Renee Hamilton, social media strategist for the organization, was one of the participants in the WeAreMedia workshop back in February. She also came to SXSW where she launched a small experiment using taking photos of people smiling.

I felt compelled to support Renee and her organization.  I hope you will send them a little twitter love too.

Here's the summary of what they do:

Founded in 1982, Operation Smile, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, is a worldwide children’s medical charity whose network of global volunteers are dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children and young adults. Since its founding, Operation Smile volunteers have treated more than 130,000 children born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities and the organization has a presence in 51 countries. In addition to contributing free medical treatment, Operation Smile trains local medical professionals in its partner countries and leaves behind crucial equipment to lay the groundwork for long-term self-sufficiency.

The 140 Smiles campaign is aimed at raising funds for 140 of these reconstructive surgeries. Operation Smile has partnered with TWTRCON and Common Knowledge, the first Twitter for business conference to be held in San Francisco on May 31st to kick off this campaign. The 140 Smiles launch party will be held Saturday, May 30th at famed San Francisco restaurant Le Colonial and will be streamed live by Twooting.com. The event will be hosted by newly named Twitter Smile Ambassador, Stefanie Michaels. Known by over 500,000 Twitter followers as Adventure Girl, Stefanie is a media entrepreneur, travel expert and Top 100 Twitterer. She will also be a featured speaker at TWTRCON.

So, keep an eye out for the 140 Smiles Campaign. It will launch on May 30th. Search the #140smiles to find other people who are participating. Prior to May 30th you can Tweet your support of #140smiles. I thought I'd give them a little help with a blog post and a tweet. Why don't you?

Comments

[Nana Hinsley]

Hi Beth,
My college age son, Dino Gomez is attending Twtrcon as well. He is a student at Sonoma State....so it is close to him as well. Dino has gotten involved with many social media venues, and started is own blog, www.basketballwithdinogomez.com. Dino hopes to get a job as The Director Of Social Marketing for a sports organization.

I hope you run into Dino while you are there. If you visit his website, you will see his picture! Have a great time! I wish I could be there as well.
All the best,
Nana Hinsley