On August 9, 2011, five-year-old Sadie Grace Ablard died from a head injury sustained at a birthday party. Her mother, Sara Ablard of Philomont, is turning tragedy into something positive by supporting a cause important to Sadie. Below is Sara's letter to our community.

Sara said, "Since my daughter Sadie's death eight months ago, I've found some comfort for my heartbreak by channeling my energy into something positive that will help others: fundraising for SmileTrain."

She continues, "As often happens, it all starts with a smile. I clearly remember Sadie's first smile. Not just a reflex smile but her first real smile. She showed me that first gummy grin when she was eight weeks old and she never lived a day without beaming several times during the day. Even on grumpy days, she would find things to look delighted about…a funny passage in a book, the crazy antics of goats on our property, finally getting through that difficult violin piece, finding colorful yarn for her next knitting project, watching a butterfly land on a flower…Sadie found joy in so many areas of life."

Sadie wanted to give others the chance to smile too. Not just a partial smile but a wide-open grin. She was troubled that some people are born with cleft lip and cleft palate and that ninety-five percent of children born with a cleft in developing countries never receive surgeries. Not only can they not smile, but they have trouble eating or speaking property. They often aren't allowed to attend school, marry, or hold a job. They face difficult lives because they are too poor to afford a simple surgery. Sadie wanted to provide them a chance to smile.

Sadie first learned about SmileTrain while walking through Dulles Town Center. She saw banners promoting the cause with often-seen photos of children with cleft palate. She asked, "What's wrong with that boy?" Sara explained as best she could then went home to learn more online. Sadie showed great compassion for these children, and she wanted to help. That Christmas, she asked for donations instead of gifts, and raised $500 which funded two "smiles" for children.

With Sadie's death, Sara is continuing her cause. " It's my goal to raise enough money in my lifetime to fund a child's smile surgery for every day that Sadie lived. That's $250 per smile for 1,913 days for a total of $478,250. It's a bold goal, but then Sadie lived with a bold heart and with much compassion for others", says Sara. "With each smile we fund, we help improve the life of a child, and we're doing so in memory of my joyful Sadie who blessed us with her beaming, contagious smile. She would be delighted to be contributing to sharing more smiles with others."

Since one of Sadie's other passions was running, Sara has organized a 5K and Kid's Fun Run on what would have been Sadie's sixth birthday, Saturday, May 12, 2012 in Purcellville, with all proceeds going to SmileTrain.

Please join us for the first annual Sadie's Run. There are wonderful activities for the kids and fantastic race prizes thanks to generous support from the community. Registration is open on Active.com.

To learn more about the 5K and Fun Run or for details on how to participate, volunteer or become an event sponsor, contact Sara Ablard at sablard@gmail.com or visit www.sadiesmilefoundation.org.