Sunshine Princesses

The Sunshine Princess Program is a part of the Miss Florida Scholarship pageant.  It is designed to mentor young girls from the ages of 5 to 12 before they reach competition age.  The girls are mentored by the titleholder that chooses them as their princess.  Last year, my little sister was my princess.  She enjoyed doing work with my platform, Promise to Kate foundation, making appearances and participating in the fun during Miss Florida week.

Hat parade and meeting Miss Florida, Miss Florida Outstanding Teen and Miss America Outstanding Teen

Performing on the stage with Miss Florida and all the other Sunshine Princesses from the state

So this year, I of course continued to have my sister Lexie as a princess, but each girl can have up to five so two of Lexie's friends are joining us.  Meet Josey and Lauren!

My two NEW princesses!

They are so cute and have already jumped in being big helpers during PTK Junior Board activities such as our recent Brucci's pizza night fundraiser! 

Yesterday my three cute princesses had a playdate.  I could not stop laughing when my mom showed me their dance video.  It totally shows their personalitities.  Enjoy!



Just Dance - Beautiful 

Brucci's Night for PTK

The Junior Board for Promise to Kate wants to do all they can to make money to give the hospital and scientists to find a cure for Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy.  The first official group fundraiser we planned was a dinner night at Brucci's Pizza.  Basically, the way it worked was the manager gives the wait staff the night off on Tuesdays and your fundraising group can serve, take orders, bus tables and clean up and you get all the tips for the night.   

The PTK Junior Board (and their family team of helpers) arrived for the dinner shift last night at 5 pm.  This picture shows the first shift, more helpers continued to arrive!

Promise to Kate Junior Board

We were so BUSY all night we barely had time for more photos but here are a few of the crew in action.

And one of the sweet little Kate we made a promise to...

The kids on the Junior Board ROCKED!  They were so sweet to all the customers asking to refill drinks, taking orders and cleaning up.  The owner of Brucci's said we did a FANTASTIC job!

And guess how much we raised?  $740.00!!!!!!

One especially special moment of the night for me was when my little brother, Chase (9 years old) told me he had written a speech to give at the restaurant.  I had to explain that it was probably going to be too loud for everyone to hear him but that I would post it on my blog.  Here it is:

In case it's too small for you to read, here's a translation (with his spelling):

Thank you for coming tonight but remember all the tips will go to the fodation Promise to Kate.  And the tips will go to Wolfsen Children hospital.  Now I will tell you a little bit about Kate she a little girl who has a very rare disease which is mitonic-musculers-destephey that disabels her body that is not as strong as us so please make a Promise to Kate and help this girl be like us.  thank you

This group of fabulous kids takes their Promise seriously.  Won't you join us?

Flamingo Flocking!

Promise to Kate recently kicked off a new fundraiser called Flamingo Flocking!  Basically, there are flocks of cute pink flamingos that can be "sent" to someone's yard if you pay to "flock" them.  And all the proceeds go to Promise to Kate foundation.  How fun is that? 

It costs $25 to flock a friend and the flamingos will migrate away after 48 hours.  They arrive with a sign stating that the owners of the house have been "flocked" by Promise to Kate.  Help us raise more money to find a cure for Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy and have a little fun.  Click HERE to go to the page to arrange your flock today!

 

THINK PINK!

FCAT Writes

       I arrived promptly at school early and ready to write on this past Tuesday morning, thoughts were swirling throughout my head at what kind of prompt was going to be thrown at me from our state writing test. When I opened up my booklet,  my prompt read:  Suppose you had the chance to interview anyone. Who would it be and why?  Well,  my heart dropped and I sank low in my seat with a weight above my head because at that moment I really didn't have a clue who I should write about. About ten minutes of sitting and narrowing down the choices I had in my head I decide to write my essay about the wonderful Heather Whitestone.  For all of you who don't know, she is Miss America 1995. But wait there's a catch, she isn't only a past Miss America but she is the first and only deaf woman who has won the so glorious title of Miss America. I chose Heather because I had recently done a project on her for one of my classes and knew a plethora of information about her. Everything from service events she took part in to all the schools she attended to get the best education that she could. I can honestly say I had so much fun writing this essay thanks to Heather for being so inspiring !

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!