RUN 50 STRONG - For Smile Train and The Association

The Hough Family is running 50 STRONG!

This September and October, the Hough Family — Jeremy, Kelly, Campbell, Caroline, and fur babies Kona and Zulu — will load up their camper to drive around the country and run a 5K in all 50 states and our Nation’s capitol in just 50 days, a journey they’re calling “Run 50 Strong” to benefit two distinct charities, Smile Train and The Association through their local 501(c)(3), The Svala Foundation.

Campbell was born with a cleft, and this odyssey aims to raise awareness for the cleft community, connect with other cleft-affected families, and raise funds for Smile Train. Smile Train is the largest cleft-focused organization providing training, funding, and resources to empower local medical professionals in 75+ countries to provide 100%-free cleft surgery and other forms of essential cleft care in their own communities.

As a retiring Air Force Officer, Jeremy has worked closely with our Nation's finest warriors, many of whom gave the ultimate sacrifice for our fellow countrymen. The Association provides support to the Quiet Professionals and families of Air Force Special Warfare Units through educational scholarships; financial assistance during hard times; and support to memorial projects or events that honor the unit’s heritage, families, and brave warriors that gave their lives for freedom.

Clefts are the world’s most common facial difference, affecting 1 in 700 babies. Their impact stretches far beyond the baby who has one, requiring significant time and resources from the family and community. Treating a cleft usually requires 20 or more years of surgeries and other comprehensive care, such as nutritional support, speech therapy, dental care, and psychological counseling.

The family has found that stigma and misconceptions about clefts persist despite progress. That’s why, for the past 12 years, the Houghs have been active Smile Train supporters, notably founding Team EMPOWER, Smile Train’s endurance athletic program.

Not only did they launch the program, but they have also been some of its most active members: Jeremy and Kelly ran the Big Sur Marathon in 2012. Then Jeremy finished Ironman Lake Placid in 2013, Ironman Kona in 2018, and Ironman Florida in 2019. They participated in the 2020 Ride for Smile Train: Home Edition, Jeremy ran the NYC marathon in 2021, and Jeremy joined Campbell on the 2023 Smile Train Trek in Colombia.

Together, the family has raised close to $100,000 for Smile Train, which has contributed to life-changing cleft treatments for thousands of children in more than 75 countries. Our goal is to raise another $100,000 for Smile Train today!

The Association supports members and families (past and present) of an elite Air Force unit that has been involved in major military combat operations from the late 1970s to present day through three major efforts: Scholarship, Special Assistance, and Memorial Funds.

Scholarship Fund assistance provides merit-based scholarships and educational opportunities including the MSgt John Chapman Scholarship given in honor of Medal of Honor recipient MSgt John Chapman and his extraordinary heroism on 4 March 2002. The Medal of Honor is the United States Armed Forces’ highest military decoration awarded for exceptional valor and courage. MSgt John Chapman is not only a Medal of Honor recipient, but he was also a dedicated father, husband, brother, son, and teammate. The MSgt John Chapman scholarship is a prestigious merit-based award designed to recognize outstanding academic achievement, leadership potential, and contributions to the community.

The Special Assistance Fund provides assistance to unit members and their families during an event in their life where established insurances and other charitable organizations fall short. This includes financial hardship grants, support for veterans wounded in high-risk training or combat situations, and Gold-Star family support to honor the memory of fallen heroes and eases the financial burden on their families during difficult times.

The Memorial Fund provides funding to memorialize our heritage, pay respect and honor those that have come before us, remember what we’ve done, and educate those on who we are.

The Svala Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on "Endurance Challenges for Christ and Charity - We are comfortable being uncomfortable while doing hard things for good." Contributions through this page to The Svala Foundation may be deducted under IRC Section 170.

Donations received through this campaign will go towards supporting Run 50 Strong logistics and operations. Once these needs are met, all funds raised will be distributed to Smile Train and The Association.

Of course, donors may also donate directly to Smile Train and The Association! If you choose to donate directly, please note your gift is part of our Run 50 Strong campaign.

Thank you!