Ewing, NJ... College students often aspire to make a difference in the world and that is precisely what a group from The College of New Jersey achieved at an event held in the Brower Student Center on Wednesday evening.

Led by interdisciplinary business major Alex Gregorek (Mahwah, NJ/Academy of Holy Angels), TCNJ's Operation Smile donated a $1,000 check to its parent organization after spending over a year fundraising and creating awareness about their cause. Operation Smile National Director Lauri Catena joined the event to accept the donation and also presented a documentary film to those in attendance.

Operation Smile is a charity organization healing children's smiles, making the world a better place. More than 200,000 children are born with a severe cleft condition each year — often unable to eat, speak, socialize or smile. Through generosity and the spirit of volunteerism, Operation Smile has healed thousands of children per year and, today, more than 160,000 girls and boys have a new chance at a new life because of their work.

“I love this organization because it helps children and families around the world,” said Gregorek, a TCNJ women's basketball player who began working with Operation Smile in high school. “There are so many who are less fortunate than I and this organization changes lives. The money goes to surgeries for children with cleft lips and palettes and in the most literal way brings a smile to their face. To me nothing is more rewarding then seeing people smile.”

Since 1982, Operation Smile — through the help of dedicated medical volunteers — has provided free surgeries to children around the world. It is one of the most prominent children's charities in the world with a presence in over 60 countries. The cost for the surgery in the United States is $240, so the donation by TCNJ Operation Smile will pay for four children to have the procedure that will change their lives for the better.

“I'm so impressed with Alex and the students who have worked for this cause,” said Catena. “I know how busy college life can be and to raise money and pull together this event takes considerable effort.

“Alex has already made a difference. The money they generated for this donation will go directly to funding surgeries. Equally important is that she has raised awareness by getting the word out, which can be contagious. We have clubs out over six hundred high schools, but only a handful of colleges and this assists us in our mission to build more relationships with universities.”

Gregorek started Operation Smile at TCNJ after she tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) prior to her senior season of basketball in 2009. Rather than spending her time upset about what she could not do, Gregorek re-channeled her energies to organizing efforts to help this cause. She and other members of the affiliate club at TCNJ raised over $1,000 selling t-shirts and raffling off a pair of Giants tickets this past fall.

“I always wanted to start it at TCNJ, but my busy schedule kept making me push it back,” said Gregorek, who is also a member of TCNJ's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). “I decided to turn a challenge in my life (knee injury) into an opportunity to do something positive for others and started TCNJ Operation Smile. I am a part of a great club and all the members are dedicated to helping change lives. I am just a part of a great group of people and organization.”

At the event on campus, the group was selling sunglasses, cookies, and cupcakes to raise additional monies. Other Lions' athletes involved in the function were teammates Katie Occhipinti (Warren, NJ/The Pingry), Hannah Tait (Staten Island, NY/Notre Dame Academy), softball players Caitlyn Seamster (Edison, NJ/John P Stevens), Robecca Florczyk (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck), and football player Justin Doniloski (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Hills).

For additional information on Operation Smile, contact Lauri Catena at (610) 759-6079 or visit their website at www.operationsmile.org.

Note: Gregorek became one of 13 players in TCNJ women's basketball program to score over 1,000 points tallying 1,039 in her career. She was named All-NJAC Second Team in 2010-2011 and finished her career sixth all-time in rebounding with 662 and second in blocked shots with 144.