Some UF students are working hard to put a smile on the faces of children.
Gator Smiles, a campus service club, raises money to pay for the surgeries of children overseas with cleft lips and palates.
According to the National Institutes of Health Web site, a cleft lip and cleft palate occur when the tissue that forms the roof of the mouth and upper lip don't join before birth.
Members also give financial and emotional support to children at Shands at UF.
President and co-founder Lauren Uhazie said the goal of Gator Smiles is to pay for as many surgeries as possible for children in Asia because these children won't be put on the adoption list.
Gator Smiles started in the spring of 2007 by Uhazie and UF senior Michael Rosato. Uhazie said the idea came from her sister, Stephanie.
"She was inspired by a man from our church who adopted twin girls with cleft lip and palate from China," Uhazie said. "He showed our church a video about the orphans in China and how they desperately need surgeries so they can eat correctly."
Gator Smiles works with Love Without Boundaries, a nonprofit organization that donates money and provides surgeries for children in China. Club members choose the children their donations will help, and they receive post-surgery pictures.
Gator Smiles raises money each year through fundraising events like an annual 5K run and ultimate Frisbee. The club is planning a Texas Hold 'em poker tournament for the spring and a car wash on Sunday.
