McAnelly Becomes President of Thousand Smiles Foundation

Mark McAnelly

When doing the construction work for Thousand Smiles Foundation facility years ago, Mark McAnelly of Ramona didn't realize he would eventually become president of the foundation.

McAnelly was introduced to the group 18 years ago when a good friend asked him if he would do some work at the Red Cross in Ensenada, Mexico, the spot the foundation called home for 10 years. After the group relocated, it stayed at a temporary facility for more than two years. The Thousand Smiles Foundation now owns the building that houses its state-of-the-art clinic in Ensenada.

The foundation is able to provide long-term care for underprivileged children afflicted with various facial and dental deformities. The operation runs on donations from individuals and volunteer labor from medical personnel.

As president of the foundation, McAnelly's primary responsibilities include public relations with the medical director of The General Hospital of Ensenada and the Rotary Club of Ensenada. The clinics are held four times a year in Ensenada. For information about TSF, visit www:thousandsmiles.org.