Aaron Johnson – General Assignment Reporter
NEW HAVEN – Southern students and friends alike filled the academic quad outside of the Michael J. Adanti student center to jog, sprint, or walk for the Operation Smile Miles for Smiles 5k Fundraiser. The marathon donations went to help fund surgeries for children with cleft lips and/or palates all around the world. Southern student Mary Mohyde was the driving force behind the day’s event.
“Speaking to me at the end of this event I can’t be happier,” said Mohyde. “I put a lot of hard work in, but I’ve had so much help. You can clearly see, especially after our guest speaker, just how much of a difference we’re really making.”
The guest speaker was a man that has lived with a cleft palate for his entire life and his story of perseverance was something that Mohyde said she felt really made the event more meaningful for those that participated.
“It’s kind of easy to get caught up with saying ‘oh it’s just a 5k’ but it’s raising money for something and everything we did here today you have to remember it’s for the kids of Operation Smile,” Mohyde.
Along with Mohyde, Doctor Kelly Mabry from the Communication Disorder program was there to support all the participants. When asked what it meant to her to be apart of an event like this, Mabry answered with a single statement.
“It is truly a privilege,” Mabry said.
The goal of the event was to fund 10 surgeries, all proceeds from the 5k went directly to Operation Smile. Family and friends of Southern students participated in the marathon, much to the delight of both Mabry and Mohyde.
“It’s very validating to see the outpouring of support,” Mabry said. “I think it speaks to the amount of effort that Mary has put into this as president of the club. It speaks to the community at Southern in terms of their volunteers and wanting to come together and it speaks to the commitment of the communication disorders department to be there to make this club work.”
One of the people that were there and participated in the marathon was Mohyde’s brother, James, who said that being able to support both his sister’s endeavors, as well as, a great cause like Operation Smile made the day worth wild.
“It’s a great organization that helps a lot of people in the community that need help with their speak therapy,” said Mohyde. “It feels great that there is so much participation from Southern and the community in general. They really came together and it was a great event.”
Following the event, several participants spoke again about what was a consensus for the most powerful and moving moments of the entire day; the true life story at the end of the day. Which helped to give the day a more realistic and genuine feel.
“It was very powerful,” said Mabry. “And I think that’s what makes it from an event where it’s very esoteric, you know people are donating and running because people are asking them and their friends to
come. But when you actually meet someone that has lived this life it puts a whole new perspective on it and it really humanizes the event.”
Mohyde said that being apart of an event like this and working with a foundation like Operation Smiles made her feel like she is truly doing something for the greater good.
“I feel like it’s something that’s bigger than me,” she said. “I worked with Doctor Mabry to found the club on campus and it’s just so much bigger than just Southern. But what a difference this university can make with just one event. It’s just a really inspiring feeling and just something that really is all about giving back to people who deserve it.”
