Melissa's Miles for Smiles

Greetings from Minnesota! I hope you are doing well. I’d like to share some exciting news about my plans for the summer of 2020.

This June, I will join a group of adventurous souls for a trek up the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru. It will be a 26-mile trek on the actual stone path built by the Incas over 600 years ago.

It is my hope that every step I take on this trail will benefit a very worthy cause, the Smile Network. You should know two things: one, I will be paying all of my own expenses on this trip and two, every penny raised will go to the Lima Mission, where life-altering surgeries will change the lives of children. I will update you after the trip so you know just how huge of an impact your gift had!

A bit about Smile Network:

It is a non-profit, Minnesota based, humanitarian organization that performs surgeries on children born with the debilitating birth defect of a cleft lip or cleft palate. This is one of those rare charities where virtually everyone connected to it is a volunteer. The doctors and nurses volunteer their time to make this happen.

So, for as little as $500, Smile Network is able to repair a child’s birth defect and in as little as 45 minutes, restore joy and dignity to their lives.

For all practical purposes, my journey begins today. Donations of any amount are welcome, and no donation is too small. Some companies provide matching funds, so your contribution could double.

Dave isn’t joining me on this trip (he says his time in the Marines was all the backpack wearing hiking he needed for one lifetime! 😊). He is my first donor though – with United Health Group matching his donation. Your company may do the same! In any case, I am grateful for your gift and your prayers as I bring your donation to the children who’s lives will forever be changed by your generosity!

With love and deepest gratitude,

Melissa Lombard