Julie Hofstedt's Miles for Smiles

Faith, family, and friends have enriched my 60+ years of life and I do not take it for granted.  One of my goals in 2020 was to reach out of my comfort zone to help make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.  I am sure you have heard the phrase “A smile is worth a thousand words”.  I can’t imagine not physically being able to smile due to a birth defect of a cleft lip or palate – and not having the resources to have a corrective surgery.  

My plan is simple- I would like to raise awareness and the funds to bring a smile to the lives of at least 5 children who are considered to be some of the poorest children in the world.  In September 2022, I will be joining a group of amazing women to trek The Camino de Santiago Trail with Smile Network International.  I will be trekking 9-15 miles a day for 6 days, starting in Portugal and ending in the city of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.  Walking Miles for Smiles!

A couple of things I would like you to know is #1 I will be paying for all my own travel expenses and #2 is every penny raised will go to sponsor surgeries for children on an upcoming surgical mission.  Your donation is 100% tax deductible .   Smile Network is a Minnesota based non-profit.   They perform 300-500 surgeries a year by doctors, nurses, and anesthesiologists – all volunteers!  The surgeries are completed in 45 minutes and cost as little as $500.  Right now surgeries and treks are paused because of Covid 19 with a waiting