- Elizabeth Gillies visited the Empire State Building for the first time during World Smile Day celebrations.
- The 31-year-old actress partnered with Smile Train to promote awareness for cleft lip and palate treatments.
- She shared her excitement on Instagram, thanking the Empire State Building for lighting up blue in honor of the day.
Hey there! Let’s chat about a recent adventure that makes you go, "Wait, no way!" Yes, you heard right—Elizabeth Gillies, the star of Dynasty and, may I say, a serious queen of the screen, just ticked off a major New York City bucket list item. That’s right; she visited the Empire State Building for the first time, and you won’t believe the circumstances behind it!
So, picture this: Elizabeth, who practically has the NYC streets in her DNA (she grew up just a stone’s throw away from the city), finally walks into one of the most iconic buildings in the world. You’d think she’d have strolled through those doors ages ago, but nope! She saved it for something extra special.
Let’s put a pin in that moment for a second. On October 4th, which, let’s be honest, is not just a regular Friday—it was World Smile Day. A day dedicated to, you guessed it, smiles! And who better than Liz to be a part of something so positive? She teamed up with Smile Train and its fabulous President and CEO, Susannah Schaefer, to spread the word about this amazing charity that helps children with cleft lips and palates.
Now, before you start rolling your eyes, hear me out. Smile Train isn’t your run-of-the-mill charity; they have this remarkable program that ensures kids all over the world get the surgeries they need to live happier lives. Talk about making a difference! So, while Elizabeth was soaking in the views from the Empire State Building, she was also helping to shine a light on the work this organization does. Seriously, hats off to her!
On her Instagram, she shared her excitement, saying, "My first time at the Empire State Building! Thank you, @empirestatebldg, for having me, and thank you @smiletrain for giving me the honor of lighting the ESB blue in honor of National Smile Day! Continuously blown away by the incredible work this organization does. Very special day ." Blue lighting for a good cause? Yes, please! It’s not every day you get to make a building bluer than a true blue friend.
But let’s dive a bit deeper. Why should we care about what happened that day? What’s the connection between a glowing skyscraper and little ones needing surgeries? Well, let’s break it down:
The Heart of Smile Train’s Mission
Here’s the deal: Cleft palates and lips are more than just a physical issue. They can impact a child’s life socially and emotionally. Imagine rocking a cute outfit at school, but then everyone stares as you try to eat your lunch, right? Not cool. That’s where Smile Train steps in, offering free surgery, speech therapy, and other essential services. And they do this in over 90 countries. Talk about being a global champ!
Let me hit you with some facts that’ll make you nod your head in agreement:
- It’s estimated that a baby is born with a cleft condition every 3 minutes worldwide.
- Thanks to Smile Train, a surgery that costs as little as $250 can change a child’s life forever.
- In 2020 alone, they helped over 15,000 children in 60+ countries!
Now, sit back for a second and appreciate how impactful each smile can be.
A Day at the Empire State Building: A Star-Studded Spectacle
Back to Liz—this whole event transformed the iconic Empire State Building into a vibrant blue beacon of hope. Can you even imagine what it felt like to see your city’s skyline lit up for such an important cause? It must have felt like looking at a postcard come to life!
Let’s not forget, the Empire State Building isn’t just any building. It’s practically a celebrity in its own right! Towers over the competition at a whopping 1,454 feet tall, it’s been featured in countless movies and TV shows. So, yeah, standing on that observation deck must have felt a bit surreal.
You might wonder what other celebrities have rocked the ESB. A quick shout-out:
- King Kong had his infamous encounter there.
- The Sleepless in Seattle crew made it a romantic must-visit.
- Spider-Man swung through in a web-slinging extravaganza.
So, joining that illustrious club? High five, Elizabeth!
What’s Cooking in the Charity World?
Now that we’ve fangirled over Liz and her epic day, let’s talk about the big picture here. Why should we pitch in or even raise our voices for Smile Train?
Well, let’s put it this way:
- It’s not just about one big donation; it’s about community engagement. Every small contribution adds up.
- Spreading awareness can help educate folks about the realities that many children face. You change hearts when you change minds, right?
- Imagine being part of a cause where your effort can literally help put a smile on a child’s face.
Plus, think about the power of social media. You could be sitting at home scrolling through hilarious cat videos, or you could flip that energy into sharing this article or reposting about Smile Train to inspire friends to look into charity work. This is a chance to connect your circle to something bigger and remind everyone that we can all make the world a bit brighter.
A Quick Peek at the Numbers
Let’s not forget the stats that tell the story behind the smiles. Here’s a nifty comparison that highlights just how far your money can go with a charity like Smile Train versus other well-known organizations:
| Charity | Avg Cost per Smile | Countries Served | Kids Helped (2020) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smile Train | $250 | 90+ | 15,000+ |
| Other Charitable Org #1 | $500 | 30 | 5,000 |
| Other Charitable Org #2 | $300 | 20 | 7,500 |
| Other Charitable Org #3 | $450 | 15 | 3,000 |
When you look at it like that, it’s pretty mind-blowing to see how far a little can go when pointed in the right direction, right?
The Power of a Smile
Wrapping this all up, it’s clear we all have a piece to play in this puzzle, even if we’re just a bunch of friendly bystanders like you and me. Donating to Smile Train or pouring some heart into spreading awareness is seriously special.
Next time you see someone flaunting their pearly whites, think about how many kids out there could use some of that joy. And you don’t have to scale the Empire State Building to make an impact—sharing a post, talking about it, or supporting charities could do the trick!
So, why not share this with your friends? You never know who might be inspired to jump in and join the mission. So, what do you say? Let’s light up social media with joy—one smile at a time!
