Day 220: Miracle Treat Day

It is one of my favorite days! A day to eat ice cream and support a children's hospital!

As many of you know, I have a very special place in my heart for Children's Miracle Network. CMN and Dairy Queen are in partnership and each year they run 'Miracle Treat Day.' On this day, DQ will sell millions of blizzards and $1 of each of those blizzards will be donated to CMN. Last year, DQ raised over 6 million dollars!

Naturally, my family and I went to Dairy Queen after dinner. We each bought a scrumptious blizzard. I tried the S'mores blizzard (and I was a fan)! The Dairy Queen we visited was hoping to raise $5000 and they were about 60% there at 6:30PM. I hope they were able to reach their goal. Needless to say, however, I am sure that the money raised nationwide is substantial. In addition, everyone who took part thoroughly enjoyed their dessert!

I can't wait for next year! 

God bless,

Kailee

(Even Lacy loves blizzards!)

Day 191: "Liked" Ace Hardware

If you have followed me and my year thus far, you know that Children's Miracle Network has a special place in my heart. They are partners with the Miss America organization and strive to help as many children as possible!  

Yesterday as I was perusing my social media sites, I came across an opportunity to donate to CMN by liking Ace Hardware. In the month of July, if you log onto Facebook and 'like' Ace Hardware's page then they will donate $1 to Children's Miracle Network! The Ace Foundation has been in partnership with CMN for several decades now and have raised over $54 million for them. 

I love opportunities like this because this is so so simple and there is really no reason to not do it. 

Day 182: Visited The Children's Hospital

This afternoon, the Miss Washington contestants and I visited the Seattle Children's Hospital to visit with some patients. A few contestants hung out in a play area with a few children, while a few very lucky girls were chosen to visit patients in their rooms. I was so very fortunate to be one of the lucky few to do room visits and meet with a few patients one on one. The girls and I met many outstanding youngsters who are serious warriors! Unfortunately, we were not able to take pictures with the patients because of privacy reasons (understandable), but trust me when I say that I had an incredible time!

There was one patient in particular with special needs that just illuminated when the three girls and I walked into the room. It is a simple moment like that, that make a strenuous week that much more worth it! Each girl and I gave the patient autograph cards and in return he gave them each a kiss and blew us all kisses! It was one of the most precious events I have ever expereicned and one I will treasure forever.

For those who don't know, each year the Miss Washington contestants visit Seattle Children's because of the partnership between Miss America and Children's Miracle Network. Seattle Children's works with both CMN and Ronald McDonald House. All of the money that contestants raise for Miss Washington will be donated to this hospital. To learn more about Seattle Children's, please click here.

God bless,

Kailee

Day 144: May Is For Miracles

May is the month for miracles! During May, Children's Miracles Network has teamed up with several different businesses to raise money for the hospitals. One of those businesses is Carmike Cinemas. This evening, when I went to the movies, I had an opportunity to donate my extra change from ticket sales and concessions. In addition, they were also selling all movie posters for $3. All the proceeds from the poster sales, along with all other donations, will be donated to CMN.

Other destinations and stores that you can donate include; Rite Aid, Costco, Speedway, Chico's FAS, Walmart and Sam's Club and Publix Supermart. You can learn so much more about this promotion and CMN at May is for Miracles. The site talks about how you can donate by giving, watching, shopping and sharing!

God bless,

Kailee

Day 125: Miracle Bowl

Today was another super crazy busy day! This afternoon my fellow Miss Washington sisters and I raised money for Children's Miracle Network and the scholarship organization through a bowl-a-thon at Skyway Park Bowl in Renton. We raised over $30,000 in total! Here are some pictures from today.

Day 69: Donated to the Ronald McDonald House

This afternoon Miss Seattle wrapped up a crazy pageant weekend. Congratulations to all of the contestants on their success and congratulations to all of the new new titleholders! Jean-Sun Hannah Ahn, Miss Seattle 2012, was another sister of mine who crowned her successor. Within her year, she has be an advocate for the Ronald McDonald House Charities!  

Meet Jean-Sun Hannah Ahn, Miss Seattle 2012

What is your platform titled?
Jean-Sun: Making A Difference in the Lives of Seriously Ill Children: Support for the Ronald McDonald House

How can others get involved with your platform?
The Ronald McDonald House charities is a global organization and anyone can help make a difference, whether is be simply making a donation to the house online, or even donating change to the boxes at your local McDonalds...anything you can give makes a difference. Anyone can volunteer at local Ronald McDonalds Houses, hosting movie night, activity nights and even dinners. Also promoting the organization through various social media outlets via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. The public will know you are supporting and raising awareness for this organization.

Why did you choose this particular platform?
I like to say that this platform found me. I was invited to an event at the Ronald McDonald House when I was a freshman in high school and the moment I stepped into the Seattle House, I knew I wanted to become involved and help make difference in the lives of not only these seriously ill children, but also their family members as well. Many times we don't realize that when a child becomes seriously ill it truly affects the entire family in more ways than one. I knew I could utilize my violin to help bring smiles to children's faces and bring joy in a time of crisis. In addition organizing fun filled events with music provided the opportunity for me to really get to know the children and families serving not only as a role model but also a friend. Consequently, my platform goes hand in hand with Mis America's national platform, Children's Miracle Network. As Miss Seattle, I was able collaborate with both of these organizations and serve as an advocate for both. It was incredible to be able to regularly visit the Seattle Children's Hospital where many of the patients also stayed at the Ronald McDonald House while receiving treatment. I know I will continue to volunteer and serve as an advocate for both these organization for years to come. I am so grateful to have had the many experiences I have had as Miss Seattle and look forward to what my future holds. 

My parents and I traveled to Yakima this afternoon to celebrate my mom's birthday and see the rest of my family. On our way there we stopped at good ole' Mickey-D's to complete my act of kindness for the day (and maybe a shamrock shake). If you haven't ever noticed, each McDonalds has donation boxes in front of the cash registers and/or under the window in the drive-thru. My dad and I both dropped a dollar or two into the box. The money collected from the donation boxes will then be used to help families!

(Jean-Sun and I after Miss Washington)

God bless,
Kailee

Day 36: National Pancake Day

It is National Pancake Day at IHOP! I hope you had the chance or plan on going to IHOP for your free short stack! Pancakes will be free until 10 this evening.While there, you can also donate to Children's Miracle Network or run into a local or state titleholder serving pancakes!

Each year IHOP partners with CMN to raise money for the local children's hospitals. This year their goal is to raise $3 million nationwide. Last year, our local IHOP raised over $10,000!


This is such an easy act of kindness!
1. Find a local IHOP.
2. Enjoy a short stack.
3. Donate $1 (or more)!

So so simple...and scrumptious :)

(Myself, Miss Inland Empire- Brittany Cozza and Tiffany)

Day 5-MAO Week: Donated to Children's Miracle Network

In just one week we will have a new Miss America! As the excitement builds and the contestants get ready to compete starting Monday, I figured I would do my part and dedicate this week to acts relevant to Miss America. I begin my week by donating to Children's Miracle Network (CMN). For those of you that don't know, CMN is the national platform for Miss America and she who is crowned is devoted to representing CMN as the Goodwill Ambassador. CMN was founded in 1983 and became the national platform for Miss America in 2007. The thing that I absolutely love about CMN is the fact that they focus on two main goals; help as many children by raising funds and keeping those funds local.

Here are just a few ways that you can donate to Children's Miracle Network!

1. Simply donate money.
2. Donate time working with the kids.
3. Look for chances to 'buy a balloon'.
4. Donate toys or other goodies to put a smile on a child's face. 

Watch Miss America live from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Saturday January 12th! Also, keep an eye out for my pageant sister, Miss Washington, Mandy Schendel!

Have a random act of kindness you would like me to try? Comment below.

God bless, 

Kailee