Great Neck Teen's Love of Sports Helps Kids in Need

Jared Ohebshalom’s sports-themed fundraiser helps children around the world receive surgery to correct cleft conditions

By Barbara Russo September 23, 2021

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As a three-sport varsity athlete, Jared wanted to create a fundraiser that connected his passion for sports with his passion to help kids smile. He was also inspired by the ice bucket challenge that gained momentum on social media in 2014 to raise awareness about ALS. Jared wanted his Smile Shot video challenge to make an even closer connection between the physical challenge and the charity.

“Whenever you play sports, if you get a cool shot, you smile,” Jared says “Operation Smile helps people around the world who are born with cleft conditions to express the same reaction. This is a way to give back and for our community to share their best shots and have fun doing so.”

Organizing an In-Person Fundraiser for Operation Smile

Over the summer, Jared brought his community together for a basketball game in the Kings Point section of Great Neck. The challenge was similar to the game of “HORSE” but instead of getting a letter if a shot was missed, for Jared’s event, a player got a letter when they made a shot, and their opponent missed a shot. The goal was to win by spelling out the word “SMILE.”

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Between the ongoing virtual fundraiser and the one-day event, Jared has raised almost $4,000 through his GoFundMe page, which will help 14 children receive reconstructive cleft surgery through Operation Smile.  

It is estimated that a child is born with a cleft condition every three minutes, according to Operation Smile. Depending on the type and severity, a cleft condition can create severe health issues for a child if it's not treated.

Jared hopes others join in on the Smile Shot Challenge, even beyond Great Neck, to help support Operation Smile. 

“It's something that is so simple that could really go far,” Jared says. “Taking a 10-second video can change a kid's life.” 

For more information about cleft conditions or Operation Smile, visit operationsmile.org or follow the organization on Facebook and Instagram.