A Man's Mission to Help Kids With Cleft Palate

Camp Courage looks like most summer camps, but the campers all share a special bond. They are all in various stages of treatment for craniofacial defects like cleft palate.

Bruce Patterson spends a lot of time at Camp Courage. He used to spend most of his time running businesses, but after selling his Midtown Atlanta restaurant, Spice, last year he started the Save A Smile Foundation to help fund camps, treatment and education about cleft palate and to raise awareness about craniofacial defects. "This is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life," said Patterson. He himself was once one of these kids. "I was born with a cleft lip. I didn't even know that I had it," he said. Patterson said his family was uncomfortable talking about his condition even as he was undergoing treatment. "This camp brings back memories for me and touches my heart. These kids just want to be happy and normal and loved," he said.

The Save A Smile Foundation didn't start up during the best of economic times but it hopes to get a huge boost later this fall when the 2009 Atlanta Holiday House opens. "It's the largest spec house in Atlanta, 22 thousand square feet," said Patterson. 27 designers will transform the newly constructed house for the holidays and it will be open to the public for tours in November and December. Builder Steve West said he is honored to be helping the Save A Smile Foundation and Patterson. "His passion for what he does, it was overwhelming to me. And I knew I had chosen the right foundation because of the passion of the founder," said West.

Proceeds from tours of the house will help kids with cleft palates get treatment and attend camps like camp courage.

The Atlanta Holiday House will be open for tours November 21 through December 20.

Hours of Operation will be Tuesday through Friday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am - 10:00 pm, Sunday noon - 5:00 pm.
Closed Mondays and Thanksgiving Day

11Alive's Valerie Hoff is Honorary Chair of the event.