McIntosh High School student Michael Hervey, 15, from Peachtree City is curently working to raise $10,000 for an organization called Operation Smile as part of his Eagle Scout project. 

Operation Smile is a private, not-for-profit volunteer medical services organization that provides reconstructive surgery and related health care to indigent children and young adults in developing countries and the United States.

Operation Smile has treated tens of thousands of children and young adults since 1982. Their volunteers travel the globe, crossing countless political barriers to treat children with facial deformities who otherwise have no choice but to live with the social, emotional and physical traits often associated with deformities.

Hervey looked for an Eagle Scout project for more than a year before he discovered Operation Smile. He had initially planned on traveling to Vietnam to build a playground for children in a small village located near the city of Hue. He was looking for an Eagle Scout project that would make a significant difference in the lives of people living in countries that were not as prosperous as the United States. He arrived at the goal of raising $10,000 after speaking with Carolyn McKenna, director of Operation Smile’s southeastern region.

McKenna informed Hervey that each surgery cost an average of $750. She also informed him that the organization was in need of infant scales to measure the weight of patients. After careful consideration Hervey decided that he wanted to raise enough money to purchase the infant scales and pay for operations for ten children. He realized that this was a very high goal, but after discussing his decision with his parents and gaining their support, he decided to move ahead with the project.

Now, almost a year after gaining approval from his Scoutmaster at the time, Gary Rossome of Troop 211, sponsored by the Peachtree City Presbyterian Church, and the Boy Scout Eagle Board as well as hours of planning and preparation, he has begun the fund-raising campaign. The campaign consists of a series of fund-raising events conducted over 60 days. 

During the campaign, Hervey has committed himself to recruiting and training a staff of volunteers to “take the message to the street” and raise public awareness and educate the public on the mission of Operation Smile. He will train his volunteer teams to give presentations to private and public organizations and solicit financial and other forms of material support to meet his objectives of raising $10,000 and raising public awareness for this worthy humanitarian mission.

Anyone wishing to be a part of this project or willing to provide financial or other material support is encouraged to contact Hervey at 770-486-8574 or email him at operationsmile211@yahoo.com.

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