Getting Geared Up for Picture a Cure!

Yesterday was a Promise to Kate - Junior Board work day to get ready for the big night - Picture a Cure!  We tied ribbons and cards on water bottles, counted out bunches of M & Ms in little baggies and stuffed gift bags.  But with all of us there working it was done in no time!

All of this will be seen at the big Picture a Cure fundraiser!  Last year was lots of fun for kids and adults as well as good food and many items up for bid on silent auction.  Check it out, I have my tickets, do you?

Wolfson One to Grow On Birthday Celebration

I've written before about my commitment to do whatever I can to support Promise to Kate Foundation, and Wolfson Children's Hospital is one of the organizations we support with the money raised.  This is a busy fundraising time for Wolfson Children's Hospital.  During their One to Grow On celebration they are having a variety of fundraising activities but the telethon was a great way to get the fundraising started!

During our time manning the phones little Kate had fun helping answer the not ringing phones to practice.  She said, "Hi, I love you, goodbye." That girl has phone manners!  I enjoyed getting to meet the news anchors and families of other children who have been touched by the amazing doctors, nurses and support staff at Wolfson Children's Hospital.

This year as a part of the One To Grow On celebration, Kate Conte was chosen as one of Wolfson's 55 children to benefit from their care in the past year.  Kate and her family were honored at the annual birthday celebration that followed the Ultra Marathon and other runs raising money for the hospital.  I was honored to be there to meet other families with children honored as one of the "55" and to help hand out the medals in the recognition ceremony.  What a special day and a special group of people.  Special thank you to my sister queens for coming out to support!

Read It Forward

Read It Forward Jax is a program from Duval County Public Schools that promotes reading for students in all grades.  When they had a recent fundraiser at Chick-fil-a restaurants around the city, the media specialist from my old elementary school asked me come help her meet and greet kids.  What fun!  The kids had a great time listening to stories, bouncing in the bounce house and doing some fun reading activities.  I'm glad I got to help support such a great cause!

Colorful Delivery to Wolfson Children's Hospital

I posted a few months ago about a coloring book drive I was doing for the children staying at Wolfson Children's Hospital.

With the help of friends, family and the students at Chets Creek Elementary I collected 778 coloring books, crayons and toys for the kids!  Thank you to everyone who donated even one book!

Yesterday I spent three hours going to each room with a patient at Wolfson.  Some kids were too sick to even sit up but I spoke with them and picked their favorite character coloring book to leave at their bedside for them to color when they felt better.

I think my favorite moment of the day was getting to visit with a two year old little boy that was staying in the oncology unit.  He was sitting on his mom's lap and laying his head on her chest but when I showed him the coloring book and hot wheels car I had for him he sat up and smiled.  That sweet smile made my day.  I know that the surprises made his day a little brighter.

I hope to spend time volunteering again at Wolfson in the near future!  The One to Grow On celebration is coming up soon!

Gator Bowl Parade

 It was an exciting day but bittersweet.  Today was the amazing Gator Bowl Parade and the last appearance that I will make with my Jacksonville Queen Sisters:  Danielle DiPatre, Liz Stiles and Sarah Snyder.  I have learned so much from each of them.  Sarah and I have been friends since elementary school and Danielle and Liz have been great role models for me and were always there for me with advice for my future.  I know that we have created lifelong friendships.

It wouldn't have been the wonderful year that it has been without my amazing pageant directors, Emily Haines and Ruth Sidbury.  They were there with guidance and suggestions at every turn as well as creating opportunities for us to get together and be the pageant family we are.  I know we will always stay in touch.  Thanks for the opportunities you have given me this year!

Promise to Kate Junior Board

Every time Promise to Kate has an event a lot of kids are there because their parents are helping out. So I thought it would be great to start a Promise to Kate Junior board so that not only can they also feel a part of Promise to Kate but they can help fund raise and get more involved. This week I held the first Promise to Kate Junior Board meeting! It was so exciting to hear all of the other members good ideas for upcoming 2013. This will really help Promise to Kate get out there more, because the more people that are aware the better.  Look for great things to happen this year!

1st Meeting of the PTK Junior Board!

Big day!

I am so proud to be a part of working with Promise to Kate Foundation.  Mr. and Mrs. Conte have made a Promise to Kate that they will do everything they can to find a cure for Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy.  The money they raise goes to research and diagnosis of children with the disease. Watch the video below to see Kate's story. 





This afternoon I was proud to be a part of a visit to Wolfson Children's Hospital where Promise to Kate made a $10,000 donation to pay for the 3Tesla MRI machine that helps diagnose young patients quickly.  It is cutting-edge technology.  It cost much more than $10,000, but this donation will help pay some of what they still owe for the machine. Wow!  Thank you to everyone who participated in the fundraisers this year and I can't wait to help PTK do some amazing things in 2013!