Sophomores, juniors, seniors and the faculty at Pleasant Grove High School have been competing to see who can raise the most money for Operation Smile.

Operation Smile is an organization that provides free surgeries to repair cleft lip and cleft palate for children around the world who would not otherwise be able to afford it. At Pleasant Grove, co-presidents Jared Patten and Conrad Ashby and the rest of their club volunteer their time to raise money for the nonprofit.

"Two hundred forty dollars pays for one operation, and 100 percent of the money from this fundraiser goes to the kids," Ashby said. For a $1 donation, a student or faculty member gets to write their name on a smile and put it up on the wall. The rows of paper smiles stretch quite a distance.

"So far, we have enough money for six operations," Ashby said.

The Operation Smile club does many other fundraisers throughout the year. On Halloween, all the members send out envelopes and fliers beforehand explaining who they are, and then they trick-or-treat for donations. When asked about other fundraisers they will do this year, Patten replied, "Expect great things."

"I am part of Operation Smile because of how many lives it has changed, and it feels good to be a part of that," Patten said. Ashby agreed and said, "It is so hard for those kids who can't afford care, and can't even eat or smile properly. This operation can make such a huge difference in someone's life."

Related

• PGHS students help with Operation Smile