Havaianas Pays it Forward with Design a Smile 2 for the Benefit of Operation Smile

When was the last time you made someone else smile? That is the question Havaianas asks you as it launches the Havaianas Design a Smile 2, a flip-flops design contest for the benefit of Operation Smile Philippines.

First launched in 2010, Havaianas Design a Smile gives children the chance to show their artistic talents by designing the next Havaianas Smile pair – a special design which will be produced into an actual Havaianas pair. A percentage of the sales will be donated to Operation Smile Philippines, a non-profit organization which provides life-changing surgeries to children with cleft lips and cleft palates. The initial run generated more than 2,000 entries and raised more than PHP 100,000 from donations alone during this period.

“Havaianas believes that summer is a state of mind and can be lived every day of the year whenever you adopt a happy and carefree attitude,“ shares Anne Gonzalez, Managing Director of Havaianas Philippines. “And nowhere else is that more evident than in children. With Havaianas Design a Smile, we hope to generate funds and awareness to support Operation Smile in our shared mission to spread smiles all over the world.”

This November to January, Havaianas Design a Smile 2 is back, with the theme “Paying it Forward: Kids Helping Kids.” Beginning November 24th, artistically inclined kids can join Havaianas Design a Smile by submitting their designs illustrating their answer to the question “What will you do to make other people smile?” at partner events nationwide, beginning with the Bonifacio Global City Passion Fest at Bonifacio High Street from November 23 to 25, and at the Mommy Mundo Bazaar at the Rockwell Tent from November 24 to 25. Winners will receive exciting prizes from Havaianas, Bobble, Pininho, Hobbes and Landes, McDonald’s, and Sony. The grand prize winner will also have his or her design produced as part of the Havaianas 2014 Collection as the Havaianas Smile pair, with a percentage of the sales from which will help fund the operations of Operation Smile.

“The response from our initial run was overwhelming,” says Ammiel de Leon, Group Director, “this year, we hope to enrich our partnership with Operation Smile even more and involve more people all over the Philippines in Havaianas and Operation Smile’s advocacy to give children their smiles.”

Find out more about Havaianas Design a Smile2 and Operation Smile Philippines at www.havaianasphilippines.com/smile. Havaianas celebrates its 50th year of sharing summer happiness this 2012. Experience the summer vibe that never goes out of style with the world’s favorite rubber flip-flops brand. Take part in the Havaianas story and grab a pair now, available in Metro Manila at All Flip-Flops, Celio, Complex, Duty Free Philippines Fiesta Mall, J&S Surf Shop, KidSports, Manila Polo Club, Moana, Nail Spa, Ocean Front, Plana Forma, ROX, Rustan's, Stoked, Tick Tock Flip Flop NAIA Terminal 3, and Urban Athletics. For provincial outlets, visit www.havaianas.com