MOMS raise $8,000 for Smile Train

Mary A. Castillo

The MOMS Club of Laguna Beach/South Chapter brought in more than

$8,000 at “Something to Smile About,” a fund-raising tea that benefited

the Smile Train.

Founded in 1999, the Smile Train has performed more than 40,000 free

cleft palette surgeries for children throughout the world.

“The membership selected Smile Train as this year’s tea beneficiary

because we were touched by the huge impact we could have on so many

children’s lives,” said Robin Rounaghi, president of the MOMS Club. “In

this time when the world’s issues are especially complicated, this was a

straightforward way to help.”The Tea Committee chairpersons who organized

the event were Anna Hecker, Kristin Fast, Peggy Wolff, Terri Meisberger,

Barbara McMurray and Rounaghi. Twenty-five members contributed to the

event by making delectable food, setting tables with their own china and

obtaining donations for the drawing and auction. More than 50 silent

auction items were donated by local artists, restaurants, merchants and

individuals.

“Many of our members were professionals before choosing to stay at

home with their kids,” said Rounaghi of the club’s membership. “The

teamwork and talent of the women who worked on this project was truly

impressive.”

The MOMS Club is a national nonprofit support group dedicated to

providing support to at-home mothers, offering a forum for topics of

interest to women, giving mothers a voice in the community and performing

public service projects, especially those benefiting children and

families. In addition to children’s groups, the MOMS Club sponsors

monthly speaker meetings, park play days and field trips.

Information, call Terri Meisberger at (949) 376-9115.

To learn more about the Smile Train, visit www.smiletrain.org.