Austin Smiles – The Austin Plastic Surgery Foundation hosted its 38th Annual Wish Upon a Smile Gala at the Starlight Terrace at the Oasis on Lake Travis. This annual event raises funds to support Austin Smiles’ mission of providing surgical and post-surgical care to children born with cleft lip and palate in Central Texas and Latin America.
This year’s gala welcomed over 350 attendees and was filled with philanthropy, camaraderie, awards, silent and live auctions, and dancing. The evening concluded with a performance by Austin icon, Bob Schneider and his band. The event was made possible by the dedication of Gala Co-chairs Patty Johns and Michelle Jones and the Wish Upon a Smile Gala planning committee.
This year’s 6th Annual Cullington, Fox, Beckham International Service Award honored two extraordinary volunteers: Dr. Rick Parker and Barbara Powell. Dr. Parker is a retired plastic surgeon and longtime Smiles volunteer who has spent most of his career as a strong advocate for children with cleft conditions. Dr. Parker has served on countless missions with Austin Smiles, offering his surgical expertise and compassionate care. He also started the organization's annual Shoot for a Smile Charity Clay Shoot which is going on its 28th year in 2025 and has helped raise over $1,000,000 for the organization. Barbara Powell, a retired professor and surgical technologist, has been a dedicated volunteer and mentor, inspiring many through her contributions both on missions and locally in Central Texas. Barbara still volunteers on 1-2 trips annually with the organization each year and helps pack medical supplies for all of Austin Smiles trips, lending her time and talent to change lives.
A moving highlight of the night came when Robert Patterson, a 13-year-old Austin Smiles local client, took the stage to share his experiences at Camp Amigo. He spoke about his favorite camp activities—zip lining, archery, and time at the petting zoo—and how Camp Amigo was filled with unforgettable adventures. More than the fun, though, Robert spoke of the strong connections he formed with others at camp. “Camp Amigo was more than just a camp for me—it was a life-changing experience,” Robert said, emphasizing how the supportive environment helped him embrace who he is.
Every year, Austin Smiles conducts 3 medical mission trips to Latin America, providing over 50 surgeries per trip and offering follow-up support, dental services, and speech therapy to around 150 children with cleft lip and palate. Locally, Austin Smiles serves over 800 patients annually in Central Texas, providing social and emotional programming, nutrition supports, parent support groups, speech therapy, advocacy, and preventative dental care. To learn more, visit www.austinsmiles.org.
Photo credit to Charles Quinn Photography
