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| Josh Rimpila, CPA Supervisor, Assurance Services Minneapolis, Minnesota |
“Doctors don’t know exactly why a baby develops a cleft lip
or cleft palate. In developing countries, most parents can’t afford the cost to
have their child’s cleft fixed. But
there is hope. Hope for every child born
with a cleft lip or palate. Hope arrives with every mission to a region by
Smile Network International.” ~Smile Network International
As soon as the Pursue Your Passion Program was announced,
Josh knew immediately that he wanted to apply, and more specifically, what he
wanted to do. Born with a cleft lip and palate, Josh has a personal connection
with the mission of Smile Network International. A Minneapolis-based charity,
Smile Network International is a humanitarian organization that provides
life-altering reconstructive surgeries and related healthcare services to
impoverished children and adults in developing nations.
Being born in the United States, Josh’s family had access to
the highest level of surgical care through the doctors at a local children’s
hospital. As you can see in the picture below, the care he received led to
amazing results. However, there are thousands of children around the world who
are not as lucky.
Growing up, Josh continuously looked for opportunities to
help others dealing with cleft lips and palates, including donating Cleftline
Bears to children in the hospital, donating to and attending events for cleft
lip and palate support charities, and providing mentorship to other young
individuals with this birth defect.
Josh had a desire to volunteer on an international scale
with families that would otherwise not have the means or access to surgical
care. One of the many ways to contribute to the mission of Smile Network
International is by volunteering for a surgical mission team. Thanks to the
Pursue Your Passion program, Josh now has the opportunity to volunteer
internationally and impact the lives of children in developing countries.
To Josh, his mission will weave together several of
McGladrey’s core values: respect, integrity, teamwork, excellence and
stewardship, but none more so than teamwork. Individually, impoverished
families cannot provide the necessary medical care for their children. The
leadership of Smile Network International utilizes teamwork—fundraising efforts
to support mission trips, organizing non-medical individuals and licensed
medical professionals to donate time and skills, and much more to provide
life-changing opportunities to children all over the world.
As part of the project, Josh will participate in the
step-by-step process the day of the surgical screenings, assisting families
from start to finish. On surgery days, he will be meeting with and helping the
children and families prepare for the procedures, as well as assisting the
children in the recovery room post-surgery. He will also have the opportunity
to hike the Inca Trail. Additionally, as part of his trip, he will be
establishing a $2,500 fundraising goal, which he plans to exceed. The funds
will be used for future surgical missions. Over 82% of the organization’s
expenditures are actually used for program services.
For Josh, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will
have a lasting impact on the lives of incredibly special, strong and deserving
families. By viewing David’s
story, you will get a glimpse into the incredible gift that Smile Network
International provides infants and their families in developing nations.
After Josh returns from his trip, we’ll provide a recap of
his adventure!
1 comment:
That's an amazing story. I see Operation Smile ads on TV and I can understand how kids like these feel. One of my cousin's children was born with a cleft on his lips. I believe that it's a noble thing that he's doing.
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