WHY DID I DO THIS:

In December 2009, Me and My brother volunteered on Christmas Eve morning to serve a meals at the homeless shelter. That Christmas Eve reminded me of how grateful I should be for every little thing, even the roof over my head. So I decided, I'd somehow plug this into my platform.

MAKING IT HAPPEN:

I contacted the Crossroads Mission and told them I had a group called the Youth With Purpose group of about 20 volunteers that were willing to do whatever it takes to help them out. They decided they needed most help at the Crossroads Mission thrift store, so we immediately set a date. My dear friend designed a flier for me to hand out to everyone and sign up sheets so I was able to contact anyone who was interested in volunteering. In one day I had gathered 30 interested volunteers.


THE OUTCOME:

About 20 volunteers showed up the morning of the event. We spent four hours cleaning out the back room, organizing thousands of pieces of clothing, moving furniture and heavy boxes (the guys did this :p ). I was filled with joy when such a large group of people volunteered with me...My dream of having a larger group was actually coming true! Thank you Jesus! So many memories were made that day and the volunteers are eager to see what I've got planned for them next.


WHAT COULD I DO BETTER NEXT TIME:

I still want this group to expand and inspire the whole younger generation in the state of Arizona!

WHY DID I DO THIS:

When I was in kindergarten, I was a quiet girl who kept to herself most of the time. I had only one friend and he was blind. He was my best friend and always broke me out of my box. We'd sit at the lunch table together everyday, and after eating he'd always ask me to walk him to the swing sets so I could push him back and forth until recess was over. So everyday, I'd push him back and forth and we'd tell each other jokes and talk about what we wanted to be when we were older. It never bothered me that he was blind...It was almost as if he saw more beauty in life than anyone else I knew. Since I was very young, I've had a heart for the handicapped and special needs...they bring out the true joy in life.

MAKING IT HAPPEN:

The blanket drive had passed a while ago and I was ready to begin planning more events to promote my platform. When sitting on my bed and searching in the phone book for places and people that may be in need of the Youth With Purpose volunteer group, I came across the number for special Olympics. Perfect! I shouted and with no hesitation, I reached for my cell phone and called them. I set up an event with the competition coordinators for the Youth With Purpose group to come out on the Saturday of that week for the Special Olympics Tennis and Track competition. The event was coming up quickly and I needed as many people to commit to volunteering. I printed sign up sheets and took them to my church.

THE OUTCOME:

More people seemed to be interested this time, I had about 20 sign ups and about 10 people actually showed up for the event. The competitors were so excited too see new faces at their tournament. One girl who was playing tennis was eager to compliment me on my Miss Yuma County crown pin I was wearing. she said it was beautiful! I met another competitor who was amazing at tennis and was like a human calculator! He kept track of everyone's tennis scores better than anyone there! The Youth With Purpose group and I were so delighted to have been able to support the Special Olympics competition and are looking forward to getting more involved with the Special Olympics group in the near future.

WHAT COULD WE DO BETTER NEXT TIME:

I'm still wanting to expand the Youth With Purpose group. I see so much potential for us to be a blessing to Yuma County and eventually the state of Arizona. I'm looking forward to the next event because IT WILL have more volunteers!

WHY DID I DO THIS:

Wow! So this was my first platform promotion event as Miss Yuma County. I decided the first way I wanted to implement my platform in Yuma Arizona was to love on and give gifts to the elderly during the holiday season... a blanket drive is a perfect way to show we care! I can imagine it tends to be very lonely in a nursing home around Christmas time and I truly desire to brighten up the holiday and remind the elderly that they are never forgotten.

MAKING IT HAPPEN:

A few of my friends were involved in getting this event up and running...special thanks to all who played a part in making this Christmas beautiful for the elderly residents in our local rehabilitation and care centers. Me and my mother drove around town and dropped off boxes for the drive at local churches. My friend and I spent the last few days decorating ten huge boxes with all different kinds of Christmas wrapping paper and bright, beautiful bows. My boyfriend spent a lot of time designing an advertisement flier for the drive...it turned out absolutely beautiful! I just cannot get over how much help was offered to me! I was so blessed.

THE OUTCOME:

More than enough blankets were donated within the two weeks that the boxes were set out...even the Miss Yuma County board members were in on this! Thank you board members and local churches for your charity!
Faces were lit up everywhere and everyone had a smile on. Faculty and Staff at nursing homes were so great full and thanked the Youth With Purpose group all the way out the door. Youth With Purpose was such a blessing to these people...and these people were such a blessing to us as well!

WHAT COULD WE DO BETTER NEXT TIME:

I'm excited to promote the Youth With Purpose program and see more people involved. Other than the lack of volunteers, the blanket drive was a huge success!