Subj: An updated list for Operation Smile needs
From: condon@carr.org (Babs Condon)

To: shamlett@gfwc.org (Shelby Hamlett)

Supply Needs for Operation Smile
On behalf of all the children we serve, please accept my heartfelt thanks for your commitment to our program. Over the past two years we have reviewed the supply items we send to our missions and have created a comprehensive list in the GFWC/Operation Smile Partnership Information Packet 2000-2002. With the high cost of postage, we want to ensure that each of you are given enough information to collect the supplies that we need. Clubwomen often inquire about the size limitations or type of item we are looking for. I hope this informational quick sheet will clarify some of the questions.

Medical Records Supplies
Operation Smile sets up a complete office upon arrival at a host hospital. We bring everything from pens to paper clips as most of these facilities can not provide these items. Each potential patient receives a medical chart and is given a complete physical exam.

Why do you need flashlights and D Cell batteries?
In most developing countries, the power is bound to go out at some point. We ask all our team members to bring their own flashlight but we also provide a few for the hospital wards where the patients are staying. We arm our clinicians with flashlights in case there is a power outage-and it often happens!

Why do you send trash bags?
Most hospitals incinerate their garbage. Operation Smile separates biomedical waste and general waste as we would do here in the United States. Heavy duty trash bags (55 gallon) allow us to clean up our waste and dispose of it properly.

Why do you send ziplock bags?
Many patients are sent home with medication and supplies after their surgery. These bags are used for the patient or their family to carry the items home.

Why do you send 1 inch masking tape?
This is used for labeling supply shelves, hanging up signs in screening, and taping up boxes. Tape is a must on any mission.

Operation Smile Bags Bigger is Not Better!
All items we request are the small, travel size for one simple reason-we need to pack 50 smile bags into a box. Large personal hygiene items take up more room.

To Flip or Not to Flip?
On my way to Kenya two years ago, I discovered something interesting about shampoo. When a flip-top shampoo is packed in a box and put in an airplane, the pressure of the cargo hold tends to cause the shampoo to EXPLODE. Please send screw-top shampoos.

War/Religious Toys-We Don't Want to Go There
Operation Smile conducts missions in 20 countries: Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, etc. We at Operation Smile are non-denominational and want our donations to reflect that. Coloring books with Santa Claus or angels are fine, but pictures of Jesus or Allah are not. And of course, we do not want to promote violence in any way. Water guns, tanks, military figurines are not appropriate.

Keep It Simple
Personal hygiene items such as dental floss, lotion, and baby oil are wonderful items, however, are not included in our smile bags. Remember-we have limited space in our boxes.

Food for Thought
Any kind of food product, like candy and gum, is not packed for Operation Smile missions. International shipping prohibits sending food items across international borders. These items could cause all of our medical equipment and supplies to be quarantined in the customs office. Keep in mind as well that hand-made bean bags can not contain real beans.

Hospital Gowns
Lots of discussion has surrounded the request for non-flammable fabric for hospital gowns. I realize it is difficult to locate and very expensive. Try to find 100% polyester to use - as this is "less flammable" than cotton. Operation Smile has a pattern for clubs interested in making the hospital gowns. We have found that this pattern is the most needed size for our host hospitals. Please do not make adult sized gowns as most hospitals are able to provide these for the patients. After the mission, these gowns are left with the host hospital for their use.

Quilts
We receive lots of variations in the quilts we receive. I am amazed at the detail and love that each of you commits to each quilt! Please keep a few things in mind. All quilts require light batting. All of our countries get cold at some point. Although the child uses the quilt in the hospital, they do take the quilts home with them. This project is a wonderful way to provide warmth and comfort for the children of Operation Smile.

My thanks to you all – Courtney Olson at Operation Smile

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