Submitted Photo Mikayla Kippen, right, vice president for Minot State University’s National Student Speech Language Hearing Association Board, and her co-committee member, Mikkel Benjamin, host a bake sale fundraiser.

Each year the Communication Science and Disorders program at Minot State University hosts a walk to raise funds for cleft lip and palate surgeries in underdeveloped countries.

“All proceeds raised go to (the national) Operation Smile, where the funds are then processed and dispersed to people in need, “ said MSU student Mikayla Kippen. “By donating, you are putting money towards a safe, high-quality surgery for someone with a cleft lip and palate.”

Kippen is on the board of Miles for Smiles, established through the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA). Originally founded in 2012, Miles for Smiles is a nonprofit organization founded through the MSU Communication Science and Disorders program.

“There are a total of five of us on the board,” Kippen said. “We all work closely to bring something new to the table for ideas. This process has been so fun to see everyone’s minds come together to pull off such a great event. I think that it has been an amazing opportunity to gain a leadership role while supporting and raising awareness for people born with cleft lip and palate.”

Every year the organization’s board and its peers host fundraisers to host Miles for Smiles and other events. This year’s Miles for Smiles walk is scheduled for Saturday, April 27, but the group has been fundraising all semester.

“We have done many fundraisers this year, such as themed bake sales, a clothing order, dine-to donate, online donation bingo, workout classes, etc. We also ask local Minot businesses for donations of cash/checks or raffle prizes to raise money,” Kippen said. “Our saying for the year is ‘Everyone smiles in the same language.’ We just had another fundraiser Monday night at Starving Rooster where they hosted a dine-to-donate which gives us 25% of the sales tonight if the flyer is shown.”

The board and its peers dedicate much of their time making sure these fundraisers and events are successful and run smoothly, but Kippen said they can’t take all the credit, as their head supervisor, Emily Stephens, guides and supports them throughout all their endeavors.

“Our head supervisor/professor for the organization, Emily Stephens, has provided us with all of the support and understanding to make this walk run smoothly, “ Kippen said.

Each year donations have grown, which increases the number of surgeries the program can provide. This year, the MSU students taking part in Miles for Smiles are dedicated to continuing that trend.

“If people are interested we’d love for them to join us on April 27 at Oak Park Shelter 7 for the Miles for Smiles walk. Sign-in is at 10 a.m. and the walk will begin at 10:30 a.m,” Kippen said. “We truly believe that raising awareness and gaining knowledge on cleft lip and palate can provide other people with a better understanding as to why these surgeries are so important.”