This past week marked the twenty-sixth year that the Blue Ridge community has made Apple Buttah to satisfy the taste buds of School families as well as benefit Operation Smile.
Thanks to all who helped make this year’s special batch of Apple Buttah. Particular gratitude is expressed to Alex Dillard ’19 and Christian Forbes ’18, who helped start the early morning fire, as well as Josh Croswell ’20 and Aaron O’Donnell ’18, who worked especially long hours.
Several classes joined Chaplain Anne West in peeling and chopping apples on Monday and Tuesday of this week. The cooking of the apples began in earnest early Wednesday morning.
A big, hearty thanks to Chaplain West for all her hard work in organizing the event and to Dr. Kevin Miller for the passion he poured into the project. This year’s great taste is due to his special recipe of unique blends of sugar, cinnamon and cloves.
The jars of Apple Buttah will be on sale during Parent Weekend for $15 each. Keep an eye out for Jaab Veskijkul ’18 and Senior Class President Albert Che as they will be selling the jars Friday morning and at the football game Saturday afternoon.
As already mentioned, all proceeds will go to Operation Smile. This international charity with home offices in Norfolk, Virginia, sponsors teams of specialists who travel to third-world countries to repair cleft lips and palettes. According to the charity, one in ten infants born with a cleft condition will die before his or her first birthday. Those who survive have difficulty eating, talking and socializing.
The charity relies on a large base of medical volunteers who offer their time and experience at their own expense. The money raised by Operation Smile not only provides surgeries but also augments the local health-care system in developing countries so that more children in the poorest areas of the world may be treated. Operation Smile also assists parents who can’t afford surgery.
