Wrigley’s Orbit partners with Smile Foundation to change children’s lives
Children to get a reason to smile.
With the help of Wrigley’s Orbit and Smile Foundation, on September 22 three children will be getting life changing surgeries at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
Smile Foundation has enabled 1 500 children to receive reconstructive surgeries since 2007.
Tawanda Sibaya Orbit CSI leader said, “These children are all from disadvantaged homes and it’s exciting to know that these operations will change their lives for the better.
“As Orbit SFG plays a critical role within the oral care category, it was such a good fit.
“This is because Smile Foundation was involved in restoring smiles to children born with facial abnormalities.
“This is a mutual win for the communities and Orbit.
“Our objectives are to build a sustainable corporate social responsibility initiative which gives back to our communities.
“This initiative has been designed to be sustainable, as we invest more money into the surgeries each year, and expand into more geography each year.
“To engage our associates on a platform of active participation.
“The more they achieve their targets, the more resources are unlocked to fund additional surgeries,” said Sibiya.
He said they have built the expenditure of a child’s procedure into each and every one of their sales rep targets.
“Each rep that makes their quarterly number translates in one child receiving surgery through Smile Foundation.
“The more sales reps we have making their number the more we will be able to make a difference.
“It is sustainable as long as long we can engage our associates to deliver their sales targets.
“If the sales targets are achieved it becomes a self-funding initiative.
“During the Wrigley smile surgeries, employees will get the opportunity to be a part of these life-changing experiences and interact with the families that have benefited from this rewarding partnership.
“To drive the sustainability, our employees have to engage with this concept.
“At each smile week (we are sponsoring three weeks in total) our associates attend the hospital and spend time engaging with the children and family,” said Sibiya.
Hedley Lewis, executive director at the Smile Foundation said, “Our partnership is growing from strength to strength.
“The families are very grateful for these surgeries because they help their children deal with vulnerability, isolation and often bullying as a result of their conditions.
“Smile Foundation helps children who need reconstructive surgeries, alleviating backlogs in the public hospitals, encouraging skills transfer, providing psychological help before, during and after surgery and supporting the hospital infrastructure.”
