Check out my Youtube channel for all of my update videos at the National Pageant!!!
http://www.youtube.com/NAMMissNY09
It's going really well and I'm having a great time!
Wish me luck!
<3 Kayla
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Help Brighten the Holidays for our Troops Overseas with Holiday Cards from Home!
A Fun Community Service Event for the Whole Family!
Come by the Alert Annex Firehouse at 140 Steamboat Road in Great Neck on
Sunday, November 22nd between 11 am & 3 pm to make Holiday cards for our Troops and remind them that we are thinking of them this holiday season!
Not feeling creative? We have pre-made cards too so all you have to do is fill them out!
If you can’t stay for the event, you may also drop off cards that you have already made.
Come by the Alert Annex Firehouse at 140 Steamboat Road in Great Neck on
Sunday, November 22nd between 11 am & 3 pm to make Holiday cards for our Troops and remind them that we are thinking of them this holiday season!
Not feeling creative? We have pre-made cards too so all you have to do is fill them out!
If you can’t stay for the event, you may also drop off cards that you have already made.
Examples of Children's Letters to our Troops (unedited)
“Dear Soldier, Thank you so much for fighting for our freedom. My family appreciations you so much! I think you're so brave!…I hope you will be able to come home soon! Just to let you know winter is coming and trust me it’s going to be cold! Here’s a poem for you! Soldier/Soldier, so brave you are! Fighting for our freedom what a soldier you are! Soldier soldier my name is Kristin What is yours? I know soldier. I hope you know you’re not forgotten here!” Love ya, Kristin
"Dear Soldier, Hi my name is Tamisha and I am nine years old...What is your name? I live in Colorado, where do you live? I know you guys are in Iraq. I am woundering, what it is like over there and what do you eat. What family do you have? I wanted to tell you thanks for being brave and for going all the way to Iraq...I am woundering what are you going to do when you get back home?" Sincerely, Tamisha
"Dear Soldier, My name is Julia I have brown hair and brown eyes. I ware glasses and I have good friends. I live in Colorado, where do you live? I have a brother and a mom. Do you have family? I have 3 pets. Two cats and 1 frog. Do you have pets?...Thank you for being brave and fighting for freedom. A new movie is coming out called the Incredibles. I have seen it and it is really cool. Maybe you can see it when you come home. I hope you have a great holiday." Sincerely, Julia P.S. Please write back.
"Dear Soldier, What are you doing, in the military. I know what you are doing you are fighting for us. What do you eat over there? I eat a lot of stuff like hamburgers. I know you do not eat that. My name is Marco. What is your name? How do you take a shower? How is the weather, cold or hot? Our weather is cool. What do you live in a house. I think you live in a tent. What do you do at your work? Are you on a ship or fly planes off or do you fight for us...I am 9 years old. How old are you?...Do you have friends? I have, one named Titus, the other one is name Ryan and the other one is called Zach. They are my friends. In my free time I play with my firends. What do you do on your free time? Do you get to play with your friends? I am smart, are you smart? I have to practice my homework every day. Do you have to practice to get ready to fight the bad people. Thank you for fighting for us. I hope you write back to me." Sincerely, Marco
"Dear Soldiers, I am writing to you to say hello and happy holidays. My name is Javon. I am 9 years and three quarters. In Dec. 16 I will be 10. I have a twin brother and we share our birthday. I am 10 min. older than him...I think for my birthday I will have a lasor tag party. I wonder how you celabrate holidays in the desert of Iraq. Students at my school think of soldiers often. My teacher talks about soldiers, the whole school does. I always here about soldiers on the news. I know how busy you are fighting. Where are you in Iraq? Do you ever get a break from doing your duties?I hope you get to be with your family for the holidays. If you don't I hope you at least get to talk to them. I hope you can go back to your home soon. Maybe when your in Iraq you can learn to speak their language." Happy holidays and be safe from Javon
"Dear Soldiers, Hi my name is Najah, I am 10 years old. I love writing so much, and reading...Do you like being a soldier? Is it scary being out there? You're brave so I am trying to be brave just like you and I want to be just like you when I grow up. I hope you are doing well, and thank you for fighting for freedom. P.S. write back please" Sincerely, Najah
"Dear Friend, I know how it feels to not see your family because, my cousin is in the war too. My name is Alexis, I live in Colorado...I would like to now your name and if you like basketball. I play basketball all the time. I would also like to tell you I like that people that fight for our country or who stand up for our rights. Do you know what is going on back here? P.S. I hope you can write back. My favorite color is blue." Sincerely Alexis
If you would like to read more of these, go to: http://www.heartsacrossthemiles.org/children.html
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Help send me to Nationals!
Dear Potential Sponsor,
It was definitely one of the best days of my life on May 14th when I was announced as Miss New York 2009! Representing my state as a positive role model has been a lifelong dream of mine. My first appearance as Miss New York? I got to ride in a brand new Mustang convertible in Great Neck's Memorial Day Parade. It was an incredible experience riding down the main street and watching all of the children get excited to see me. I remember hearing one boy say, "Look Mom it's a princess!" and I certainly felt like a princess that day! Everyone was taking my picture and kids were coming up to hug me afterwards. That is when I realized how powerful this title can be. I have been blessed with this incredible opportunity to motivate and inspire people to follow their dreams.
During the interview portion of the state pageant, I was asked what I would do with the title if I won. I had two answers to this. The first was to inspire people and encourage them to follow their dreams, because if you work hard enough and keep your eye on the goal – anything is possible. The second was to further my mission of motivating people to do volunteer work and community service. Volunteering has always been a passion of mine. For the past four years, I have been a volunteer firefighter in the Great Neck Alert Fire Department and I was a junior firefighter for five years before that. The work that I am most proud of is my own volunteer organization, Preserve America, which I founded back in 2007. I started Preserve America based on my belief that volunteering is one of America’s core values that we must preserve for the future. I organize numerous community service projects year round all with the same goal – promoting volunteer work. In the two years since I’ve started Preserve America, I have held care-package collections for our troops, annual toy drives for LIJ Schneider’s Childrens' Hospital, fundraising for America’s VetDogs, I raised over $1,000 for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and I am currently organizing a project to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. If it weren’t for the voluntary service of America’s founding fathers, we wouldn’t have celebrated our 233rd birthday this past Independence Day. If brave American’s didn’t volunteer for the military, who knows what a state of turmoil our nation would be in. If courageous firefighters didn’t volunteer to protect lives and property, the result would be disastrous. If doctors didn't volunteer their services in countries where medical care is a luxury, entire populations could be wiped out by disease. Volunteering is the backbone of our nation and it would be a tragedy if we were to let that dissipate. I am committed to using my title to promote volunteer work to the best of my ability. There are nearly 20,000,000 people living in New York – that’s a lot of potential volunteers!
I have been given the opportunity to now compete against the queens from other states in the national pageant for the title of National American Miss. This pageant will be held for a week over Thanksgiving in Anaheim, CA. I am so excited and feel incredibly grateful to now have the opportunity to compete for a chance to represent my beloved country and expand my mission from the 20 million New Yorkers to 3 billion Americans! In order for me to pursue my dream, I need $4,000 to send myself to the national pageant. I am looking for sponsors so that I can go to nationals and have the opportunity to inspire and motivate 3 billion Americans. Any amount that you could donate would be a huge help! As one of my official sponsors, your name or your business’ name will be listed in the program book which is a great opportunity for you to show people that you are kind enough to support Miss New York and my mission. For a business, this is a chance for you to advertise your services as well as to have Miss New York endorse your company. Your donation is tax-deductible for businesses as an advertising expense. I hope that I can count on you to help make my dream a reality.
Here’s how you can help:
Make a check out to National American Miss and give it to me in person or mail it to: Kayla Sulla
PO Box 234096
Great Neck, NY 11023
You can follow me during my year of reign by checking out my blog. I post updates on there all of the time so you can see what events I am doing as well as all of the other great things that I am accomplishing.
Check it out at: http://missnewyork2009.blogspot.com/
I hope that you will consider sponsoring me as I continue my mission to inspire and educate others. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to being able to call you an official sponsor!
Best Wishes,
Kayla Sulla
Miss New York 2009
It was definitely one of the best days of my life on May 14th when I was announced as Miss New York 2009! Representing my state as a positive role model has been a lifelong dream of mine. My first appearance as Miss New York? I got to ride in a brand new Mustang convertible in Great Neck's Memorial Day Parade. It was an incredible experience riding down the main street and watching all of the children get excited to see me. I remember hearing one boy say, "Look Mom it's a princess!" and I certainly felt like a princess that day! Everyone was taking my picture and kids were coming up to hug me afterwards. That is when I realized how powerful this title can be. I have been blessed with this incredible opportunity to motivate and inspire people to follow their dreams.
During the interview portion of the state pageant, I was asked what I would do with the title if I won. I had two answers to this. The first was to inspire people and encourage them to follow their dreams, because if you work hard enough and keep your eye on the goal – anything is possible. The second was to further my mission of motivating people to do volunteer work and community service. Volunteering has always been a passion of mine. For the past four years, I have been a volunteer firefighter in the Great Neck Alert Fire Department and I was a junior firefighter for five years before that. The work that I am most proud of is my own volunteer organization, Preserve America, which I founded back in 2007. I started Preserve America based on my belief that volunteering is one of America’s core values that we must preserve for the future. I organize numerous community service projects year round all with the same goal – promoting volunteer work. In the two years since I’ve started Preserve America, I have held care-package collections for our troops, annual toy drives for LIJ Schneider’s Childrens' Hospital, fundraising for America’s VetDogs, I raised over $1,000 for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and I am currently organizing a project to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. If it weren’t for the voluntary service of America’s founding fathers, we wouldn’t have celebrated our 233rd birthday this past Independence Day. If brave American’s didn’t volunteer for the military, who knows what a state of turmoil our nation would be in. If courageous firefighters didn’t volunteer to protect lives and property, the result would be disastrous. If doctors didn't volunteer their services in countries where medical care is a luxury, entire populations could be wiped out by disease. Volunteering is the backbone of our nation and it would be a tragedy if we were to let that dissipate. I am committed to using my title to promote volunteer work to the best of my ability. There are nearly 20,000,000 people living in New York – that’s a lot of potential volunteers!
I have been given the opportunity to now compete against the queens from other states in the national pageant for the title of National American Miss. This pageant will be held for a week over Thanksgiving in Anaheim, CA. I am so excited and feel incredibly grateful to now have the opportunity to compete for a chance to represent my beloved country and expand my mission from the 20 million New Yorkers to 3 billion Americans! In order for me to pursue my dream, I need $4,000 to send myself to the national pageant. I am looking for sponsors so that I can go to nationals and have the opportunity to inspire and motivate 3 billion Americans. Any amount that you could donate would be a huge help! As one of my official sponsors, your name or your business’ name will be listed in the program book which is a great opportunity for you to show people that you are kind enough to support Miss New York and my mission. For a business, this is a chance for you to advertise your services as well as to have Miss New York endorse your company. Your donation is tax-deductible for businesses as an advertising expense. I hope that I can count on you to help make my dream a reality.
Here’s how you can help:
Make a check out to National American Miss and give it to me in person or mail it to: Kayla Sulla
PO Box 234096
Great Neck, NY 11023
You can follow me during my year of reign by checking out my blog. I post updates on there all of the time so you can see what events I am doing as well as all of the other great things that I am accomplishing.
Check it out at: http://missnewyork2009.blogspot.com/
I hope that you will consider sponsoring me as I continue my mission to inspire and educate others. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to being able to call you an official sponsor!
Best Wishes,
Kayla Sulla
Miss New York 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Disney Wish-A-Thon
Disney Wish-A-Thon
Be a part of something magical! Participate in a Disney endurance event to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Metro New York! Disney is the place where dreams come true and there is no better way to enjoy it than knowing that you made a difference and helped sponsor the wish of a child with life-threatening medical conditions.
Join us for Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Lady Foot Locker
Friday, March 5, 2010 – Sunday, March 7th, 2010
Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend brings women of all ages together to participate in a magical event designed just for them. The Disney Princesses are the inspiration for the weekend’s events and will focus on the attributes every princess possesses: commitment, courage, determination, fantasy, perseverance, and strength. Every woman is a princess, which princess are you?
Disney’s Fit for a Princess Expo
A 2-day celebration of women, focused on health and fitness! The Expo will be located in the brand new Jostens® Center, located at Disney’s Wide World of Sports® Complex. This event will involve celebrity runner appearances, seminars on training, racing, and nutrition, along with the opportunity to experience the latest in running and fitness equipment. A variety of Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend merchandise will be available for purchase at Disney’s Fit for a Princess Expo.
Friday, March 5th from 10:00am – 7:00pm
Saturday, March 6th from 10:00am – 6:00pm
Friday, March 5, 2010 from 11:00am – 7:00pm
Registration & Expo: All runners must attend the Expo for race number and packet pick-up. If you are planning to arrive at Walt Disney World® Resort before Friday evening, we highly recommend that you attend packet pick-up on Friday to avoid expected long lines on Saturday. Located at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.
Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 7:00am
Disney’s Royal Family 5K
This is a fun-filled event that the whole family can participate in!
Eligibility: All ages are welcome to compete in the 5K on their own unless you are registered for the stroller division of the 5K
Entry Fees:
Individual - $45
Stroller Division - $50
Each participant’s registration will include:
· Race Registration
· Personalized Bib (must register by January 1, 2010 for names to appear on bibs)
· Commemorative t-shirt
· Goody Bag
· Post-Race Refreshments
· Commemorative 5K finisher medallion
Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 8:30am
Disney’s Princess Kids’ Races
Kids are royalty too! Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend includes Kids’ Races fit for all princes and princesses!
Entry Fee: $10
Age Groups:
12 months and under – Diaper Dash for crawlers
1 to 3 years old – 100m dash
4 to 6 years old – 200m dash
7 to 8 years old – 400m dash
9 to 11 years old – 800m dash
Each participant’s registration will include:
· Race Registration
· Personalized Bib (must register by January 1, 2010 for names to appear on bibs)
· Commemorative Kids t-shirt
· Commemorative finisher medallion
Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 6:00am (time subject to change)
Disney’s Princess Half Marathon
Mirror, mirror, reveal the One. Show me the Princess who has the strength to run. Join your fellow princesses in a royal quest that will take you through 13.1 miles of the Walt Disney World® Resort.
Entry Fees:
Individual - $120
2 Person Team Entries (Mother/Daughter, Sister/Sister, Open Women’s Division and Open Co-ed Division) - $10 team fee plus the cost of each individual registration
Eligibility: Women 14 years of age or older
Each participant’s registration will include:
· Race Registration
· Commemorative Champion® Ladies Tech Shirt
· Goody Bag
· Event Weekend Transportation from Select Resort Hotels only
· Personalized Bib (must register by January 1, 2010 for names to appear on bibs)
· On Course Refreshments
· On Course Disney Entertainment
· Post-Race Refreshments
· Family Reunion Area with live entertainment and characters
· Half Marathon Finishers receive a very special Princess medal
· A one-year subscription to REDBOOK* (a $3.92 value) *Subscription offer valid for US residents only.
· Specially themed Kodak single use camera
*Please Note: Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult*
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Each participant will be required to fundraise for the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. Participants 14 & up must raise at least $500. Participants under 14 have no fundraising minimum.
*Please Note: Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult*
For more information on the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Metro New York please visit http://www.metrony.wish.org/
I will be holding an information meeting in September. Check back for that information.
Be a part of something magical! Participate in a Disney endurance event to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Metro New York! Disney is the place where dreams come true and there is no better way to enjoy it than knowing that you made a difference and helped sponsor the wish of a child with life-threatening medical conditions.
Join us for Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Lady Foot Locker
Friday, March 5, 2010 – Sunday, March 7th, 2010
Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend brings women of all ages together to participate in a magical event designed just for them. The Disney Princesses are the inspiration for the weekend’s events and will focus on the attributes every princess possesses: commitment, courage, determination, fantasy, perseverance, and strength. Every woman is a princess, which princess are you?
Disney’s Fit for a Princess Expo
A 2-day celebration of women, focused on health and fitness! The Expo will be located in the brand new Jostens® Center, located at Disney’s Wide World of Sports® Complex. This event will involve celebrity runner appearances, seminars on training, racing, and nutrition, along with the opportunity to experience the latest in running and fitness equipment. A variety of Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend merchandise will be available for purchase at Disney’s Fit for a Princess Expo.
Friday, March 5th from 10:00am – 7:00pm
Saturday, March 6th from 10:00am – 6:00pm
Friday, March 5, 2010 from 11:00am – 7:00pm
Registration & Expo: All runners must attend the Expo for race number and packet pick-up. If you are planning to arrive at Walt Disney World® Resort before Friday evening, we highly recommend that you attend packet pick-up on Friday to avoid expected long lines on Saturday. Located at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.
Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 7:00am
Disney’s Royal Family 5K
This is a fun-filled event that the whole family can participate in!
Eligibility: All ages are welcome to compete in the 5K on their own unless you are registered for the stroller division of the 5K
Entry Fees:
Individual - $45
Stroller Division - $50
Each participant’s registration will include:
· Race Registration
· Personalized Bib (must register by January 1, 2010 for names to appear on bibs)
· Commemorative t-shirt
· Goody Bag
· Post-Race Refreshments
· Commemorative 5K finisher medallion
Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 8:30am
Disney’s Princess Kids’ Races
Kids are royalty too! Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend includes Kids’ Races fit for all princes and princesses!
Entry Fee: $10
Age Groups:
12 months and under – Diaper Dash for crawlers
1 to 3 years old – 100m dash
4 to 6 years old – 200m dash
7 to 8 years old – 400m dash
9 to 11 years old – 800m dash
Each participant’s registration will include:
· Race Registration
· Personalized Bib (must register by January 1, 2010 for names to appear on bibs)
· Commemorative Kids t-shirt
· Commemorative finisher medallion
Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 6:00am (time subject to change)
Disney’s Princess Half Marathon
Mirror, mirror, reveal the One. Show me the Princess who has the strength to run. Join your fellow princesses in a royal quest that will take you through 13.1 miles of the Walt Disney World® Resort.
Entry Fees:
Individual - $120
2 Person Team Entries (Mother/Daughter, Sister/Sister, Open Women’s Division and Open Co-ed Division) - $10 team fee plus the cost of each individual registration
Eligibility: Women 14 years of age or older
Each participant’s registration will include:
· Race Registration
· Commemorative Champion® Ladies Tech Shirt
· Goody Bag
· Event Weekend Transportation from Select Resort Hotels only
· Personalized Bib (must register by January 1, 2010 for names to appear on bibs)
· On Course Refreshments
· On Course Disney Entertainment
· Post-Race Refreshments
· Family Reunion Area with live entertainment and characters
· Half Marathon Finishers receive a very special Princess medal
· A one-year subscription to REDBOOK* (a $3.92 value) *Subscription offer valid for US residents only.
· Specially themed Kodak single use camera
*Please Note: Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult*
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Each participant will be required to fundraise for the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. Participants 14 & up must raise at least $500. Participants under 14 have no fundraising minimum.
*Please Note: Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult*
For more information on the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Metro New York please visit http://www.metrony.wish.org/
I will be holding an information meeting in September. Check back for that information.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Featured on NBC
Bet you didn't know that Miss New York is also a volunteer firefighter!
While all of this occurred before I became Miss New York, it was a really incredible experience for me and I would like to share with you all...
During the summer of 2008, I was chosen to receive an award, scholarship, and a grant for my Fire Department from the National Volunteer Fire Council & the Dunkin Brands Community Foundation for my dedication to my fire department and my service to my community. Shortly after that I was contacted by their PR department about a major television network’s interest in doing a story about me.
Here is a link to a video from the award ceremony in Baltimore, MD. (I am interviewed about 4 minutes in):
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1701276767?bctid=1701249268
Back in December 2008, NBC was filming a story about female firefighters, and I was fortunate enough to be chosen to headline it. Originally, the story aired on Channel One and played in High Schools across the country. I thought that was a fantastic opportunity for me to reach teenagers and encourage them that as long as you set your mind to something anything is possible – even if it means forging your own path in uncharted territory, such as being a female firefighter. As though that weren’t good enough, it was then picked up by NBC Nightly News and aired nationally on NBC. That same night I was contacted by NBC to do a live interview with Chuck Scarborough on NBC NY Nonstop, which aired the following week. For those of you who aren’t familiar, Chuck Scarborough is just about as big as they come in terms of journalists and anchormen here in New York. It was an unbelievably incredible experience and I feel so blessed to have been given that opportunity.
Below is a link to the original story that aired on Channel One and was used for the national story on NBC:
http://www.channelone.com/onair/index.vm?releasePID=Ilapa9DgxHYBuWywK3WLnICwdSt_38lv
It's funny what you come across when you Google yourself! I found this story from NBC in Idaho about me:
Firefighter Grants from President Obama - KPVI NEWS 6: Pocatello, Idaho Falls-Weather, Sports, News-
Unfortuantely, I don't have a copy of my live interview with Chuck Scarborough (I haven't even seen it!)
While all of this occurred before I became Miss New York, it was a really incredible experience for me and I would like to share with you all...
During the summer of 2008, I was chosen to receive an award, scholarship, and a grant for my Fire Department from the National Volunteer Fire Council & the Dunkin Brands Community Foundation for my dedication to my fire department and my service to my community. Shortly after that I was contacted by their PR department about a major television network’s interest in doing a story about me.
Here is a link to a video from the award ceremony in Baltimore, MD. (I am interviewed about 4 minutes in):
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1701276767?bctid=1701249268
Back in December 2008, NBC was filming a story about female firefighters, and I was fortunate enough to be chosen to headline it. Originally, the story aired on Channel One and played in High Schools across the country. I thought that was a fantastic opportunity for me to reach teenagers and encourage them that as long as you set your mind to something anything is possible – even if it means forging your own path in uncharted territory, such as being a female firefighter. As though that weren’t good enough, it was then picked up by NBC Nightly News and aired nationally on NBC. That same night I was contacted by NBC to do a live interview with Chuck Scarborough on NBC NY Nonstop, which aired the following week. For those of you who aren’t familiar, Chuck Scarborough is just about as big as they come in terms of journalists and anchormen here in New York. It was an unbelievably incredible experience and I feel so blessed to have been given that opportunity.
Below is a link to the original story that aired on Channel One and was used for the national story on NBC:
http://www.channelone.com/onair/index.vm?releasePID=Ilapa9DgxHYBuWywK3WLnICwdSt_38lv
It's funny what you come across when you Google yourself! I found this story from NBC in Idaho about me:
Firefighter Grants from President Obama - KPVI NEWS 6: Pocatello, Idaho Falls-Weather, Sports, News-
Unfortuantely, I don't have a copy of my live interview with Chuck Scarborough (I haven't even seen it!)
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
I'm tri-ing for a cure!
When I compete in the national pageant, 30% of my overall score will come from a community service project that I have done. I already do a lot of volunteer work, but I have decided to take on one more. On August 30th I will be completing a triathlon to raise at least $2,000 for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). This has proven to be one of the most challenging things I have ever undertaken. Training is…tough. From the daily workouts - swimming, biking, and running, my body has taken quite a beating! However, I keep pushing forward because as tough as training is, chemo is tougher! I keep focusing on the goal and that is to raise money to help fund research to cure blood cancers as well as to provide financial support to patients and their families.
How can you help?
1. Online: You can make a credit card contribution on my personal fundraising website: http://pages.teamintraining.org/li/tobaytri09/ksulla
2. Mail or in person: If you prefer to make a contribution by check or in cash you may do so by giving it to me or mailing it to me at PO Box 234096, Great Neck, NY 11023. Please make your check out to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
3. Purchase a t-shirt: I have designed t-shirts for you to purchase to show your support for LLS. Simply go to: http://shirtsbykayla.spreadshirt.com and purchase a t-shirt. $10 from each shirt that is purchased will go back to LLS.
Where Does Your Donation Go?
$25 could pay for the cost of 1 patient̢۪s chemotherapy drug prescription co-payment.
$50 could register 1 person to be a bone marrow donor.
$75 could provide HLA (bone marrow) typing for a family member of a patient with leukemia.
$150 provides 10 patients access to a web-conference to learn about their specific blood cancer.
$300 will train 25 peer volunteers who can provide emotional support to newly diagnosed patients.
$500 could provide patient aid to a person with Leukemia or a related cancer for a year.
Click on the blog title to learn more about my mission!
And the new Miss New York is...
Hi Friends!
It was definitely one of the best days of my life on May 14th when I was announced as Miss New York 2009! Representing my state as a positive role model has been a lifelong dream of mine.
My first appearance as Miss New York? I got to ride in a brand new Mustang convertible in Great Neck's Memorial Day Parade. It was an incredible experience riding down the main street and watching all of the children get excited to see me. I remember hearing one boy say, "Look Mom it's a princess!" and I certainly felt like a princess that day! Everyone was taking my picture and kids were coming up to hug me afterwards. That is when I realized how powerful this title can be. I have been blessed with this incredible opportunity to motivate and inspire people to follow their dreams.
During the interview portion of the pageant, I was asked what I would do with the title if I won. I had two answers to this. The first was, inspire children to follow their dreams, because if you work hard enough and keep your eye on the goal – anything is possible. The second was to further my mission of motivating people to do volunteer work and community service. I started my own volunteer organization back in 2007 called Preserve America which is based on my belief that volunteering is one of America’s core values that we must preserve for the future. I organize numerous community service projects every year all with the same goal – promoting volunteer work. If it weren’t for the voluntary service of America’s founding fathers, we wouldn’t be celebrating our 233rd birthday this Saturday. If brave American’s didn’t volunteer for the military, who knows what a state of turmoil our nation would be in. If courageous firefighters didn’t volunteer to protect lives and property, the result would be disastrous. If doctors didn't volunteer their services in countries where medical care is a luxury, entire populations could be wiped out by disease. Volunteering is the backbone of our nation and it would be a tragedy if we were to let that dissipate. I am committed to using my title to promote volunteer work to the best of my ability. There are nearly 20,000,000 people living in New York – that’s a lot of potential volunteers!
Volunteering doesn’t have to be as extreme as enlisting in the army; Anyone can help out just by planting flowers on Earth Day, donating toys to your local school, or spending one day a month distributing food at a homeless shelter. I challenge you to give back to your community this weekend. While you’re at your 4th of July barbeque remember that there are people in our country who will be going to bed hungry, there are terminally ill children in hospitals that won’t get to watch the fireworks, and there are soldiers who will be spending our nation’s birthday on foreign soil. So do a good deed this weekend – anything you want. Give America the greatest birthday present – give back to her citizens. I thank you. America thanks you.
It was definitely one of the best days of my life on May 14th when I was announced as Miss New York 2009! Representing my state as a positive role model has been a lifelong dream of mine.
My first appearance as Miss New York? I got to ride in a brand new Mustang convertible in Great Neck's Memorial Day Parade. It was an incredible experience riding down the main street and watching all of the children get excited to see me. I remember hearing one boy say, "Look Mom it's a princess!" and I certainly felt like a princess that day! Everyone was taking my picture and kids were coming up to hug me afterwards. That is when I realized how powerful this title can be. I have been blessed with this incredible opportunity to motivate and inspire people to follow their dreams.
During the interview portion of the pageant, I was asked what I would do with the title if I won. I had two answers to this. The first was, inspire children to follow their dreams, because if you work hard enough and keep your eye on the goal – anything is possible. The second was to further my mission of motivating people to do volunteer work and community service. I started my own volunteer organization back in 2007 called Preserve America which is based on my belief that volunteering is one of America’s core values that we must preserve for the future. I organize numerous community service projects every year all with the same goal – promoting volunteer work. If it weren’t for the voluntary service of America’s founding fathers, we wouldn’t be celebrating our 233rd birthday this Saturday. If brave American’s didn’t volunteer for the military, who knows what a state of turmoil our nation would be in. If courageous firefighters didn’t volunteer to protect lives and property, the result would be disastrous. If doctors didn't volunteer their services in countries where medical care is a luxury, entire populations could be wiped out by disease. Volunteering is the backbone of our nation and it would be a tragedy if we were to let that dissipate. I am committed to using my title to promote volunteer work to the best of my ability. There are nearly 20,000,000 people living in New York – that’s a lot of potential volunteers!
Volunteering doesn’t have to be as extreme as enlisting in the army; Anyone can help out just by planting flowers on Earth Day, donating toys to your local school, or spending one day a month distributing food at a homeless shelter. I challenge you to give back to your community this weekend. While you’re at your 4th of July barbeque remember that there are people in our country who will be going to bed hungry, there are terminally ill children in hospitals that won’t get to watch the fireworks, and there are soldiers who will be spending our nation’s birthday on foreign soil. So do a good deed this weekend – anything you want. Give America the greatest birthday present – give back to her citizens. I thank you. America thanks you.
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