Operation Smile Co-founders Receive Operation Kids Lifetime Achievement Award

On April 29, more than 800 people gathered at Salt Lake City's Grand America Hotel to honor Bill and Kathy Magee, Operation Smile Co-founders, and their work on behalf of children around the world. The Magees were presented with the 2005 Operation Kids Lifetime Achievement Award by Senator Orrin Hatch who received the award last year.

The event was sponsored by Operation Kids, a non-profit organization that supports a diverse group of effective and deserving children's charities with funds and other resources. Operation Smile is the newest "OK Charity."

Television news personality Jane Clayson Johnson emceed the evening which featured entertainment by Gladys Knight and her band, rising country music star Steve Holy and well-known recording artist Kurt Bestor. Bestor was joined by the International Children's Choir to perform the moving ballad "The Prayer of the Children." Former Utah Governor Olene Walker was presented with Operation Smile's Universal Smile Award.

The crowd watched a video tribute from Operation Smile advocates from around the world. Senator Hatch topped off the evening by presenting the 2005 Operation Kids Lifetime Achievement Award to the Magees, saying, "I cannot think of two more deserving individuals for this award than these two people. They have selflessly served thousands of children throughout the world and restored their health, confidence and their very lives through Operation Smile. Someone once said, - The world always looks brighter from behind a smile.' I whole- heartedly believe in that adage, and I know that the Magees do also."

Thank you to sponsors America First Credit Union, Xango, Wing Enterprises, Close To My Heart, Newspaper Agency Corp., KUTV 2 News, The George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Foundation and Rocky Mountain Printing.


Photos by Newman Photography

See photos of Roma Downey’s inspirational journey to Vietnam with an Operation Smile volunteer medical team.

Watch the video of Roma Downey's journey to Vietnam with Operation Smile.

See updated photos of children from the 2003 Vietnam medical mission.