Westport Woman Helps Mark Charity Milestone At NYSE Closing Bell

WESTPORT, Conn. -- Westport resident Johanna Rossi, a senior trader at Alden Global Capital, had the honor of banging the closing bell gavel at the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday.

Westport resident Johanna Rossi throws down the closing bell gavel at the New York Stock Exchange Tuesday, April 1.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

Westport resident Johanna Rossi helps Smile Train CEO Susannah Schaefer, staff and supporters ring the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday.

Photo Credit: nysetv1

Westport resident Johanna Rossi joins Smile Train CEO Susannah Schaefer, staff and supporters at the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

by Crystal D'Sa

04/04/2014 5:00 a.m.

Rossi—a volunteer for the New York-based charity Smile Train— was joined by Smile Train CEO Susannah Schaefer, who rang the closing bell in anticipation of the organization’s 1 millionth cleft repair surgery in 15 years.

Tuesday wasn't Rossi's first time closing the stock exchange. She first threw down the closing bell gavel on Dec. 26, 2013.

Rossi and Schaefer were joined at the podium by Smile Train staff and supporters.

Smile Train provides life-changing cleft repairs in more than 85 countries worldwide, reaching more than 340 children every day and 127,000 each year.

Smile Train marked the momentous occasion at its "Power of a Smile” gala recently at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

For more information on Smile Train, visit its website.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Westport and receive free news updates.