Join us for a night of Southern charm and compassion at our Harvest Moon Lowcountry Boil! On Friday, October 17, 2025, from 5:30-8:30 pm, indulge in authentic Frogmore Stew while making a life-changing difference for individuals with craniofacial differences. Your evening includes: •A mouthwatering lowcountry boil feast •Silent auction treasures waiting for your bid •Flowing wine and local craft beer selections •Fun-filled games with prizes (try your luck at Wine Chuck or Crank the Wheel!) •Live music by The Briars to keep your toes tapping Every ticket helps FACES provide vital services to children and adults with severe craniofacial anomalies, including financial assistance for out-of-town medical travel, resources for families navigating treatment decisions, and opportunities like FACES Camp where children can build confidence and friendships. As a founding member of Face Equality International, FACES is also leading efforts to end discrimination based on appearance and create a more understanding world. When you join us under the Harvest Moon, you're sending a powerful message to these brave individuals: "You are not alone." Must be 21 or older to attend. For tickets and information, visit: givebutter.com/FACES_Harvest_Moon

Meet Steve Thomas - Board Co-Chair Steve, thank you for letting our readers learn more about the FACES board co-chair and our work at FACES. Please tell us when and why you joined the FACES Board of Directors. FACES President Kim Fox asked me to be the photographer at FACES Camp in July 2022, and I gladly accepted. While at camp, I was asked if I'd be interested in serving on the board. I think FACES is a very worthwhile organization, and I was honored to be a volunteer. I had heard of FACES a few years ago but didn't learn about it until I answered an ad offering studio space at Bud's Creative Arts Center, where FACES has its office. I didn't rent the space, but I gained some new friends and an opportunity to help others. I really enjoyed FACES camp and meeting the kids and counselors. I've also enjoyed being involved with FACES fundraising events, Fearlessly Different Art Show, and Harvest Moon Low Country Boil, where I was the event photographer. Our board members have used their professional experience and hobbies to support FACES’ mission. Please tell us about yourself—your hobbies, family, and whether you serve on other boards. I retired two years ago after a 30-year career with the TVA. I've been married to Pam for 38 years, and we have five kids and six grandkids. I've been a photographer for nearly 39 years and had a photography business for about 15 years. It seems my hobby is volunteering. In addition to FACES, I'm also on the board of directors for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS), where I'm also a volunteer photographer, dispatcher, and digital retouch artist. NILMDTS provides free remembrance photography for families experiencing the loss of their newborn baby. I also serve on the Board of the Tennessee Professional Photographers Association and the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee. In my spare time, I work as a contractor for the TVA. What would you share for anyone wanting to learn more about our work at FACES? I'd tell them to check out our website, www.faces-cranio.org, and visit Bud's Creative Art Center and FACES at 5325 Old Hixson Pike to meet the awesome M.E. and Wesley Sanders, FACES' Programs Coordinators.

FACES received a $1000 award from the Robertson Ryan Insurance Charitable Foundation in honor of FACES board member Shane Oswalt. Shane, an RRI Account Executive, nominated FACES for their work assisting deserving clients with financial aid for travel expenses to a craniofacial medical center for treatment. Shane's colleagues matched the award, making it a generous $2000 gift to FACES. FACES is grateful for this gift and Shane's dedication to FACES and the craniofacial community. We want to share Shane's nominating application, which expresses his passion for the needs of the craniofacial community and the FACES mission. “I am honored to nominate FACES: The National Craniofacial Association for an award from the Robertson Ryan Insurance Charitable Foundation. As a craniofacial patient, this organization holds deep personal significance for me. My journey began at just 9 months old when I was diagnosed with unilateral coronal craniosynostosis. Since then, I have undergone several major surgeries, and my journey continues into adulthood. I was incredibly fortunate to have access to a dedicated craniofacial care team only 40 miles from my home. This proximity provided me with the critical care and resources I needed. However, many families face significant barriers, including the lack of nearby specialized care, financial constraints, and the emotional toll of a craniofacial diagnosis; this is where FACES steps in as a beacon of hope and support. FACES provides invaluable assistance to individuals and families affected by craniofacial differences, ensuring they have access to necessary medical care, resources, and emotional support. Their work aligns perfectly with my experiences and highlights the importance of creating a network of care and compassion.”

FACES Camp, happening June 15 – 20, is a transformative experience for kids with craniofacial differences who spend a week there. At FACES camp, every camper is celebrated for who they are, not how they look, allowing them to embrace their individuality while gaining independence and self-confidence. Thanks to the generous support of the Shirakiku Foundation, FACE Camp tuition is only $495. FACES offers tuition and travel scholarships to assist families with sending their children to camp. Parents and campers alike see this experience as a one-of-a-kind summer experience. One parent said her daughter's week at camp was TRANSFORMATIVE, and she wished she had known about it sooner. Nestled in the picturesque Camp Woodmont in Cloudland, Georgia, this summer overnight camp is not just about fun in the sun; it's an opportunity for kids to forge lasting friendships, explore new activities, and create unforgettable memories in a fun and nurturing environment. FACES Camp embodies childhood joy and acceptance, making it a remarkable experience for all involved. Don't wait another summer—give your camper the gift of FACES Camp! Go to facescamp.org to learn about camp, register and apply for tuition and travel scholarships.

Thank you for your generous support this year! Since July 1, 2024, FACES has provided a total of $13,509 in travel grants to ten families. To read more about the impact your donations make click here. From July to September, we helped two clients with $2,361 in travel grants. Between October and December, we reimbursed three clients a total of $4,292 for their travel expenses. In January 2025, FACES assisted five clients with $6,857 in travel reimbursements. Currently, we have three new clients who urgently need our financial assistance with travel grants. Your continued support is essential in ensuring our clients receive the care they need. Your donations to FACES have significantly impacted the lives of the adults and children we serve. For example, 10 month old Blessing and 10 year old Callen, were able to travel for specialized craniofacial surgeries in 2024 thanks to your contributions. Thank you for making a difference!

Congratulations to FACES Board Secretary Samantha Scott on her January graduation from the Chattanooga Police Academy, where she served as class president and graduated with honors. This achievement highlights her exceptional leadership skills and dedication. As a teenager and college student, Samantha volunteered for various FACES fundraisers, which helped her understand the importance of the FACES mission. She joined the FACES board in June 2024 and successfully recruited her fellow police academy cadets to volunteer for the FACES Harvest Moon Low Country Boil fundraiser in October. Officer Scott is currently employed by the Chattanooga Police Department and holds both a bachelor's and a master's degree in criminal justice from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. FACES is honored to have her on the board.

Since joining the organization in March 2023, Wesley has worked remotely as the Outreach Coordinator, engaging in face equality advocacy, blogging, and managing social media initiatives. She represented FACES at the Face Equality International Forum in Toronto (2023) and England (2024). In May, she participated in the inaugural Face Equality Paint & Sip fundraiser held at Bud's Creative Arts Center in Chattanooga, part of the International Face Equality Week's My Face is a Masterpiece campaign. In October 2024, Wesley and her twin sister, M.E., who also holds a position at FACES, relocated to Chattanooga to explore new opportunities with FACES and gain hands-on experience by working directly with clients. In her new role as Programs Coordinator, Wesley will continue supporting face equality programs, enhancing community outreach, and providing client services. Wesley was a camp counselor in 2019 for the first FACES Camp. As a young girl, she and her sister benefited from FACES travel assistance program services, so Wesley is uniquely positioned to understand the needs of our clients at FACES. Wesley remarked, "It has been truly inspiring to be surrounded by change-makers and advocates who are dedicated to enhancing our clients' ability to travel to and from their surgery centers. Witnessing our efforts come to fruition has been rewarding, and I eagerly anticipate the future of FACES and the clients we serve. A bit about me: I grew up in Beaufort, South Carolina, and my twin sister and I both have Pfeiffer syndrome, which has driven my commitment to the work we do at FACES. I am a College of Charleston graduate with a degree in Communications." The FACES board and staff are happy to welcome Wesley and are excited to have her at the FACES office in Chattanooga.

June 15 -20, 2025 FACES Camp is a heartwarming experience for children with craniofacial differences, nestled in the picturesque Camp Woodmont in Cloudland, Georgia. This delightful summer overnight camp is not just about fun in the sun; it's a unique opportunity for kids to forge lasting friendships, explore new sports, and create unforgettable memories in a nurturing environment. Our campers say it is the best week ever! Here, every camper is celebrated for who they are, not how they look. This allows them to embrace their individuality while building bonds that transcend appearances. Campers can also invite a friend or sibling to join them at camp. FACES Camp truly embodies the essence of childhood joy and acceptance, making it a remarkable experience for all involved. One parent said her daughter's week at camp was TRANSFORMATIVE! and that she wished she had known about camp sooner. Don't wait another summer—give your camper the gift of FACES Camp! To learn more about camp, tuition, and travel scholarships and to register, go to facescamp.org.