Free to Smile Foundation

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Join us for Creating Smiles ✨

An evening of cocktails, appetizers, music, and community—all in support of children born with cleft lip and cleft palate conditions.
📅 September 10, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 The Ellis

Every ticket purchased and every donation made helps provide life-changing surgeries and care to children in Guatemala, Peru, and beyond through Free to Smile’s 2026 mission programs.

Can’t attend? You can still make an impact by donating and helping us change a life—one surgery at a time.

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here comes the wind up… 3⬇️ 5⏩️ to go

Dilsa ✨ UPDATE ⬇️

A few days ago, we shared Dilsa’s story. What we didn’t share is that this little girl lost her mother during childbirth and is now being raised by her grandmother.

They traveled 17 hours to reach our mission site with one hope: to have Dilsa’s bilateral cleft lip corrected after a previous failed surgery.

Today, we received her two-week post-op update from our in-country partner and the transformation is nothing short of jaw-dropping. What volunteer surgeon and project lead accomplished is incredible. 🤯

And one more thing… grandma asked if Dr. Lisa would pierce Dilsa’s ears while she was in surgery, so of course we made that happen too.

Smile bright, Dilsa — you are so beautiful ❤️

Dilsa ✨

Secondary deformities following primary cleft lip repair can require anything from minor scar revision to complete reconstruction.

This young girl underwent surgery last year with less-than-optimal results, from another surgical group. During our mission last week, our talented surgical team led by performed a bilateral cleft lip revision to help restore both function and appearance.

Unfortunately, we see situations like this far too often, but we are grateful for the opportunity to help children and families receive the care they deserve. Seeing the joy and relief on her family’s faces reminds us why we do this work.

At Free to Smile, our standard is simple: treat every child as if they were our own. That is compassionate care, and we accept nothing less than the very best for each child we serve.

MSN 4.26 PERU

Arequipa, a new site and launch that started last year.

This week our amazing team .md, .md brought their best to these kids in Peru.

Our dear friends and team work tirelessly to help this community.

All the feels of mission week are in full swing.

Thank you all for an amazing week!

🪴
Growing has challenges
Growing is about embracing the challenge
How sweet the reward

🇵🇪

We have two teams serving in the mission field this week. Today, triage began , whose dedicated staff continues to give their very best to support this community.

This week, we are honored to provide life-changing cleft surgeries for these children. Soon, mothers will see the beautiful smiles their children have had all along.

There is nothing more meaningful to our team than walking alongside these families, supporting them through every step, and sharing in the joy of transformation.