Old Colony Y Dinner Gala

 Devon, Courtney and I

 

I appeared at my last scheduled event on January 25th. The Old Colony Y Middleboro Branch celebrated their 7th annual Dinner Gala. The event is a fundraiser for the Annual Campaign formerly known as the Strong Kids Campaign. These funds go towards funding programs such as Big Sister Big Brother, Special Needs Programs and Youth Camp. The fund also helps supply financial assistance for programs, memberships and child care for those that cannot afford it. Last year the fund for the entire association raised over one million dollars to help support these programs. The Dinner Gala included Chinese raffles, silent and live auctions to support the cause. Many local businesses and individuals donate their time and services to make this a success each year. Hoping for many more years of success in keeping these programs going through the coming years!

Miss Amazing Pageant

 Judges, emcee and helping hands

 The contestants before talent

Banners and tiaras ready for their new homes

 Such excitement, everyone gets a tiara

 Many family and friends were there to support everyone

A contestant on break

 A photo with my successor

Lots of Queens

 

December 7th I had a huge responsibility and honor of judging the Miss Amazing Pageant. This system was created by a teenager and it's purpose is to celebrate young ladies abilities instead of their disabilities. All state directors are teenagers who organize and find contestants for the pageant. Judging was difficult, many of the contestants were prepared to compete. I hope this pageant continues to grow and be recognized in the coming years. Good luck to all the girls at the nationals in Nebraska!

America's Hometown Thanksgiving Day Parade

 Abraham Lincoln started the celebrations

 Mayflower Replica

 Paul Revere on Horseback

 Big turkey balloon

 Big dedications to Boston Strong

 Boston Red Sox Champions mascot Wally

 This train acts as a food drive and viewers are encouraged to bring food to the parade for collection

Must have Santa

November 23rd I attended Plymouth's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the divisions of this parade are historically based and all follow a timeline. I was able to enjoy the parade from the VIP grandstand with my family. Lots to do and see, the festivities go on all weekend. After all this parade is ranked 2nd best in the nation!

Biggest Loser 5K Off-Road Challenge

 

Fenway Park was full of people on November 16th participating in The Biggest Loser Spartan Off Road Challenge. I was able to volunteer with the children's events. Children ages 4-13 ran a 1 mile course of stairs and obstacles to the finish line where each were awarded with medals. It was great to see so many kids participating in an active way and many running the course several times. Meanwhile adults had their own set of obstacles where they took advantage of every foot of Fenway's amenities top to bottom.

American Cancer Society's Cancer Prevention Study-3

 

November 16th I committed myself to helping study cancer for the couple decades. Over the next 20-30 years I will be completing periodic surveys to help research efforts. In addition to surveys I had to have my waist measured and give blood samples which they will use in the event I get cancer in the future. Being able to be a part of this study is not something that comes around often and the same type of survey was done in finding the connection of smoking and cancer many years ago.

Promises for Purple

 

November 10th was the Promises for Purple Pancreatic Cancer fundraiser. This event fundraises for Dana Farber Cancer Institution and in its three years has raised close to $100,000 for research. This has helped in funding for the 4th leading cancer killer. I enjoyed getting to know the committee and helping them educate the public, sell shirts and pull opportunity drawing winners. I wish them many more years of successful fundraising.

Edaville Rail Run

 

 

On November 9th I travelled to Edaville Rail Road to volunteer for the Evaville Rail Run. This was the 14th Annual fundraiser for the Dorine Merritt Memorial Fund. Dorine was an 18 year old nursing student home for the weekend when she was killed in a car accident in 1972. Her family now puts on this event to raise scholarship funds. Participants could choose between a 2 mile fun run or a 5 mile trail run. I helped by getting t-shirts out to participants and cheering on the over 1000 runners as they crossed the finish line.