HandStands was recognized this month by Utah Governor Gary Hebert for the company’s now more than $500,000 in contributions to Operation Smile. Accepting the recognition for HandStands was the company’s president, Alan Wheatley, at a donor recognition event held in Salt Lake City on April 13.
Since beginning its affiliation with Operation Smile more than 20 years ago, HandStands has surpassed a half-million dollars in donations to Operation Smile’s Utah chapter. During the chapter’s annual Breakfast for Smiles event, the company was also recognized for its leadership in securing other contributions for the charity as well as serving in local leadership roles.
“We are very pleased to know that through our direct contributions, nearly 2100 children’s lives have been forever changed because they now have natural smiles to share,” Wheatley said. “So many of these children are outcasts in their own communities simply because they have a cleft palate. Operation Smile changes lives by providing the surgeries necessary to give these deserving children not only a new smile, but also the foundation for happy and productive lives.”
“Operation Smile is a fantastic organization,” said Don Watkins, HandStands CEO and current chairman of Operation Smile’s Utah chapter. “Skilled doctors, nurses and medical professionals donate thousands of hours of their time each year. These donations of time help us to stretch our donor’s contributions to benefit more children. A cleft lip is something we can fix. It makes such a dramatic difference in the lives of these kids.”
Wheatley added, “As a company, Handstands has been very fortunate. Through our success, we’ve been able to give to local charities, university programs, and to programs such as Operation Smile. It’s a blessing that we’re able to improve someone else’s life through our corporate efforts.”
HandStands, located in Bluffdale, Utah. manufacturers and distributes Refresh Your Car air fresheners, a leading car air freshener brand, as well as HandStands-branded technology accessories to major retailers throughout North America. The company also produces a line of advertising specialty products and has a fast-growing e-commerce business. For more information on HandStands, visit www.handstandscorporate.com. For more information on the work of Operation Smile or to donate, visit www.Operationsmile.org.