Planting the Seeds of Smiles: Donor Sue Hoover on Her Legacy Gift Intention

Sue Hoover has a garden to tend to.

But before heading out to her beloved flowers and vegetables, she has graciously set aside a half-hour to talk about her first passion: helping others.

“This is what I decided to devote my life to,” she says, calling from her home in the mountains of Colorado.

“Above my bed, I have the word ‘Gratitude,’ ” she says. “I love my life, and I just want to give back.”

In 2010 Sue discovered Smile Train. She quickly realized that high-quality, sustainable cleft care was a powerful way to transform lives for the better.

“I started out by sponsoring a child every year when I got my tax return,” she says.

In February, Sue took part in a Journey of Smiles trip to Guatemala. She spent four days meeting with patients, families, and local medical teams, witnessing the profound difference her gifts are making each day.

“It transformed my life,” she says.

Now Sue is “all in on Smile Train,” and it has become her “number one donation.” In addition to her generous giving each year, she has designated a Legacy of Smiles gift to Smile Train in her will — ensuring that she will continue to change children’s lives for generations to come.

“The beauty of Smile Train is that the funds are going to train local doctors to be able to give care,” she says. “If your donation can change one life forever and give a young child hope, that’s incredible.”