February 2009, Founder and Board Member Gordon Morton joined the University of Utah in returning to Ghana for the fifth consecutive year of XanGo's sponsorship of the Barekuma Village Project.

Dr. David Morton & XanGo Founder, Gordon Morton with local children.

Each year, the project's impact is enhanced with a focus on education and sustainable solutions to long-term village needs. In February, the work continued by providing medical care, training for doctors and other health professionals in Ghana, and a census of the local population.

Dr. Patrick E. Karikari, DDS & XanGo Founder, Gordon Morton with locals.

Additionally, Gordon was there for the official dedication of a new soccer pitch for the youth of the village. Donning XanGo jerseys, the village youth played before a large crowd, as the entire village took in the game. The winning team received the official Real Salt Lake jersey with XANGO emblazoned across the chest. The pitch is just another way of helping to improve quality of life for these villagers.

XanGo Founder, Gordon Morton with local children.

Each year, as the group returns to Barekuma, the villagers there grow more trustful of the University of Utah's intentions and more progress is measured. XanGo is excited to continue to support this worthy charitable initiative and will have more exciting news in the months to come.

Ghana Update:

Since the visit this past February by Founders and Board Members Gordon Morton and Bryan Davis, XanGo employee Nicole Santiago has participated in a follow-up mission to Barekuma and surrounding villages in Ghana.

The five-year sustainable development effort, sponsored by XanGo, continues to make progress, with the introduction of new sanitary facilities (built by the villagers), the hiring of new school teachers, and the continued education of the villagers on best health practices. This includes a malaria prevention study, a continued community census, and prenatal care education to the villages expectant mothers. New drinking water facilities and improved commercialization of local farming resources is helping to ensure long-term success for villagers and self-reliance.

XanGo plans to return to Barekuma again this January to review the current progress and continue the work of this successful project.

Mexico Update:

In May 2010 XanGo returned to Guadalajara, Mexico for a fourth time as title sponsor of an Operation Smile mission. Little Fernanda and her family had returned as well for a follow-up surgery to continue her transformation. Taking place at The Reconstructive Surgery Institute of Jalisco, Mexico, Fernanda was just one of nearly 100 children from all over Mexico who received life-altering cleft-lip and palate correction procedures during the week-long mission. This is just one example of how XanGo and Operation Smile, working together, are changing lives, one smile at a time.

To read more about the mission to Guadalajara click here.

• XanGo and Operation Smile: Together Changing Lives One Smile at a Time

In April 2010, XanGo Distributor leaders, staff and Distributor celebrity Imanol Landetta supported an Operation Smile mission in Tlaxcala, Mexico, the fourth mission XanGo has sponsored in the past 25 months. All told, more than 400 children born with cleft-lip or palate deformities have now received life changing surgeries through the XanGo-sponsored missions. In May 2010 XanGo will accompany Operation Smile to Guadalajara to provide another 100 smiles to the children of Mexico

XanGo Distributors continue to play a key role in making these missions possible, not only through their work to build XanGo businesses, but also by volunteering their time. Many dozens of Mexico Distributors have now been on-site to help with everything from counseling patients and their families before and after surgery, to translating for medical volunteers, and pouring XanGo Juice to sustain the work of the tremendous individuals that make these life-changing surgeries possible. XanGo is proud to continue its partnership with Operation Smile, as together we work to "Change Lives, One Smile at a Time."

Notes Operation Smile Founder and CEO Dr. Bill Magee "You may never have the chance to meet these children in person, but rest assured they will thank XanGo and its founders forever for their generosity in making this happen." Operation Smile is a worldwide children's medical charity that is dedicated to helping improve the lives of children born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

McGruff the Crime Dog

• The McGruff National Crime Prevention Council – Made famous by its iconic mascot, "McGruff the Crime Dog", who reminds all to "take a bite out of crime," McGruff works to protect children from harm and predators through neighborhood organization and support of law enforcement.
• Best Buddies – Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.
  
  
  Best Buddies at XanGo Headquarters
  Best Buddies is a vibrant, international organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,400 college, high school and middle school campuses across the country and internationally.
  
  
  Best Buddies arm wrestle with Leo the Lion
  Each year, XanGo sponsors Best Buddies Day, which allows students from the local chapter to partner with a XanGo employee "buddy" for a day to learn about their job and spend quality time and entertainment together. Many XanGo employees remain in contact with their buddy many years after making the initial introduction.
• Children's Organ Transplant Organization (COTA) – In 2008, XanGo provided a level of funding to this organization that enabled approximately 20 children to receive life-saving transplant surgeries.
• The National Ability Center (NAC) – Based in international winter sports haven, Park City, Utah, the NAC enables people with disabilities to enjoy outdoor recreation and strengthen their self-confidence as well as the beliefs of their loved ones. As the Platinum Corporate Sponsor of the NAC's Recreational Ski Program, XanGo is proud to support the organization's worthy endeavors to improve the lives of every individual and their loved ones through defying barriers and demonstrating the will of the human spirit.
• Drew Brees Foundation – In the wake of Hurricane Katrina and its destructive effects in 2005, XanGo teamed up with NFL Quarterback Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints on the Rebuilding Dreams in New Orleans project. This initiative's aim is to identify tangible community projects, such as sports fields and youth centers, to send the message to the kids of New Orleans that they are not forgotten.
  
  
  Samuel Green Charter School — funded construction of the Edible Schoolyard New Orleans in core
  XanGo was the first corporate donor to assist in this far-reaching project. At the kick-off event in New Orleans on June 16th, 2008, Bob Freeze, XanGo's VP of Corporate Communications, presented the first check for the project at Lusher Charter School, where XanGo funded the rebuild of the school's sports courts.
  
  Most of the initiatives for this project have now been completed, and the children of New Orleans again have renewed opportunities to participate in recreation, education and other activities.

Best Buddies Update

On September 11, 2009 XanGo welcomed nearly 60 "buddies" from local high schools with intellectual disabilities for the 7th anniversary of XanGo's incorporation. This year, we combined the annual Best Buddies Day (5th annual) with our anniversary to spend time with our Buddies and raise money for this wonderful organization. Together, XanGo employees and Distributors raised more than $8,000 to benefit Best Buddies programming. The first ever XanGo Best Buddies Day 5K run, 1K walk was a huge success and something we look to expand next year.

"Through the years, XanGo has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars," said Best Buddies Utah state program manager Nicole Tatom. "Without their support there are programs that would not exist at the schools."

Scott Smith and Tymaz

Just days ago, XanGo VP and GM USA/Canada, Scott Smith, hand-delivered a XanGo World Cup Traveler's kit to Tymaz in Richmond Hill and wished him well in person. Included was a XanGo-branded Flip cam, so Tymaz can document this once-in-a-lifetime family trip.

"We are thrilled to take part in making Tymaz's wish a reality," said Gordon Morton, Founder/Board Member of XanGo, LLC. "He has suffered a battle of which no child should have to endure and we wish him all the best during his time in Africa."

This year alone, Vitamin Angels will reach 4.5 million children around the world. XanGo is pleased to provide monetary and other resources to help propel this vital program in India. As a result of XanGo's continued support through 2009, Vitamin Angels will administer a total of more than 3 million doses of Vitamin A to Indian children in remote regions of this grand country, in just two years. Quite literally, this program is saving lives.

The statistics in India are startling, where more than 126 million children are under the age of 5 and malnutrition can be a daily reality. Vitamin A deficiency is caused by chronic malnutrition and lack of red, green, yellow and orange, leafy fruits and vegetables. The consequences of this deficiency can lead to childhood blindness, as well as death from measles, diarrhea and malaria. By giving each child just two Vitamin A tablets per year – at a cost of 25 cents per child – Vitamin Angels is helping to ensure these children lead healthy lives and enjoy a brighter future.

XanGo is proud to be able to contribute to this wonderful program and change countless lives in India.

• XanGo Helps Save Eye Sight and Lives in India
• XanGo Sponsors Vitamin Angels India program

Each year, XanGo staff has assisted fundraising efforts by volunteering for charity concerts that benefit the House of Lila. Completed in June 2008, the House of Lila provides rooms for families who need to stay near the hospital where their children receive medication and intensive care. This has allowed fewer families to suffer from separation from their children. The House is highly valued by both families and the hospital, and XanGo is pleased to support this worthy initiative.

Grand Opening cerimony for new Yokohama Family House

SOS-Kinderdorf's northernmost village in Germany, the Schleswig-Holstein village houses 55 children in 12 family units. Operating for more than 30 years now, the village provides assisted living, residential care, non-residential family assistance, and education and training measures for young people ranging from remedial instruction to social work projects and career guidance.

A house mother with a Kinderdorf child

Since 1949, SOS-Kinderdorf has been active in the field of children's rights and committed to children's needs and concerns. In 132 countries and territories, this international non-governmental social development organization focuses on providing housing and a stable family environment to children without parental care and with difficult family circumstances.

XanGo Goodness check presentation with Distributor Randy Blosil

Organizing villages throughout the world, SOS-Kinderdorf builds housing and educational facilities that support full-time living for these children. Volunteers serve as parents to the youth and raise them as part of family units. The work of the volunteers is admirable in that it requires sacrifice and dedication on the part of these loving individuals to provide stability and care to the children in need. Most SOS-Kinderdorf graduates end up going on to complete their university studies and find success in their careers. XanGo is pleased to support this valuable work to lift the rising generation of German youth.

XanGo Founder Gordon Morton, Chairman of the Board Directors Ms. Lin Chia-jin, & XanGo Founder Bryan Davis.

In 2008, XanGo helped fund a series of summer camps that provided music therapy to the hearing-impaired. Through long-term music rhythm courses, the Association helps these children cross over into the world of sound and build up their confidence in interacting with people around them. Since 1996, hundreds of children have benefited from the services provided by this worthy charity, which has plans to expand beyond the borders of Taiwan.

XanGo Founder Gordon Morton, XanGo Distributor Bruce Otterson, & XanGo Founder Bryan Davis

XanGo check presentation to Tuloy Foundation - XanGo Country Mgr. for Austrailia, New Zealand and Philippines with Father Rocky

Tuloy also provides classes to out-of-school boys and girls from indigent communities or other street children centers. Serving a much-needed role in The Philippines by integrating neglected and abandoned children back into society, the Tuloy Foundation is continually expanding its outreach. Founded by Father Rocky Evangelista in 1993, the Tuloy Foundation has grown from a small room at the St. John Bosco Parish Compound in Makati City to a major facility in Alabang that provides education, and often housing, to nearly 600 children. Tuloy hopes to expand its capacity in the future to accommodate up to 1,000 children each year.

Thanks to the generosity of XanGo Distributors in making this program possible, XanGo has already donated more than 700,000 pounds of nourishment to those in need in Cambodia. Since the Meal Pack program launched in October 2007, XanGo Distributors have already provided almost 800,000 meals to those suffering severe malnutrition around the globe.

This product is a meal replacement program that is the first step out of starvation. A dry powder formulation for the severely malnourished, it helps to strengthen those who cannot properly digest solid food due to long periods of poverty, famine and other disasters.

Click here to read how Meal Packs are being used efficiently in Cambodia.

Read about the latest trip to Cambodia by Scott Smith, Sr. VP of Distributor Relations, and Glenn and Gayla Sparks, 200K XanGo Distributors.

By helping to fund medical supplies, organize volunteers and provide travel and surgical costs XanGo helped Operation Smile provide nearly 100 children and youth with surgery to correct cleft-lip and palate deformities. Chonburi was chosen as the mission site due to its proximity to some of the mangosteen orchards from which XanGo harvests some of its product, offering an opportunity for the children of the orchard workers to receive surgery.

Sponsoring an Operation Smile mission to the rural area of Chonburi, Thailand was an especially sweet experience for XanGo as it meant giving back to the place where Joe Morton discovered mangosteen and where so much of XanGo’s success originated. Founders Joe Morton and Aaron Garrity were accompanied on this mission by Distributor volunteers 1K Chang Hong, 500K Anton Garrity and his son Garrett and Premiers John and Billy Jo Machklovitz. The group was able to bring smiles to another 60 children when they visited a Thai orphanage where they played with the kids, gave out toys and delivered requested necessities like flour, cooking oil and soap—and even JuniTM Gentle Care Products.

Notes Operation Smile Founder and CEO Dr. Bill Magee "You may never have the chance to meet these children in person, but rest assured they will thank XanGo and its founders forever for their generosity in making this happen." Operation Smile is a worldwide children's medical charity that is dedicated to helping improve the lives of children born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Thanks to the efforts of XanGo distributors to build their businesses and raise money for this trip through the XanGo Goodness Foundation, many children and their families in Thailand have a new hope and opportunity. Each day, we proudly partner with Operation Smile to "Change Lives, One Smile at a Time."