Day 219: Donated To Wildlife Conservation

This afternoon, I got to check something off my bucket list! In my 21 years of life, I have been blessed to take part in some incredible experiences. I have been on safaris, aquariums and wildlife reservations, but I have never been to an official zoo. Well, today was the day that would change! 

Austin and I made a trip to the Woodland Zoo in Seattle. What we didn't know was that when a ticket for admission is purchased, 25 cents is donated to wildlife conservation. Once your ticket is purchased, each person receives a plastic silver coin that says, "vote". Standing tall and alone in front of the main gate was a stand called, "Quarters for Conservation." Your "quarter" or silver coin could then be used to vote for which biome you'd like to preserve. There were many choices like the tropical rainforest or the arctic. (I think I voted for the savannah. )

 Overall, I had an incredible time on my first zoo visit! I loved the animals and can't wait to go back! 

God bless,

Kailee

Day 218: Gave Away My Foul Ball

This afternoon, I was very fortunate to attend the first ever NW League All Star Game in Everett. Before the actual game, there was a home run derby (which our player won, woo!) and an autograph signing. As the teams warmed up for the home run derby, tons of people gathered in the outfield just waiting for a ball to come there way! Many of the people waiting were young boys and older men. Then, out of the blue, I got a ball from one of our players. Cool right? Yes! But, no matter how cool it was that I got a ball, it was just a ball. A ball that any of those young kids would have paid to have. As I held the ball in my hand, I realized what I had to do. I asked a boy next to us if he wanted it and without hesitation I got the reaction I had anticipated. He was very grateful and I was leaving with one less thing to sit in my room. Overall, just being at the game was enough for me and an incredible experience. Can't wait for next year! 

Day 217: Bought A Freckled Lemonade

Last week, I received an email from Red Robin (yum!) about not only getting $3.00 off my purchase of a freckled lemonade, but also about their partnership with Alex's Lemonade Stand- fighting childhood cancer. For every freckled lemonade bought, Red Robin will donate 5 cents to Alex's Lemonade Stand. Now, 5 cents doesn't seem like too much, but while enjoying my meal there were at least 10 freckled lemonades ordered around us.

Naturally, after seeing the email about lemonade and Red Robin, it had been on my mind and sounding tasty! This afternoon when my mom asked if I'd like to go to lunch, it took only a minute to say yes. Both my brother and I ordered freckled lemonade (there's 10 cents right there). It is to my knowledge that this partnership will last, so next time you are eating at Red Robin, order yourself a refreshing strawberry lemonade. However, if you happen to visit before the 15th of August, you will get your lemonade for a mere 99 cents! Lemonade and helping fight childhood cancer...there's nothing better. 

God bless,

Kailee

Day 215: Be True To You

Tomorrow is the Miss Yakima County pageant and my beautiful, Carissa Bond, will pass on her title. Her platform is "Be True To You." She works to empower young adults to feel good about themselves and feel beautiful in their own skin. I quickly wanted to share this video to help, as she strives to make this world a better place!

Day 216: School Supplies

This afternoon, I had the opportunity to see Paige Kuhn, Miss Apple Valley, pass on her crown. She has done a remarkable job with her platform; providing school supplies for those in need. I wanted to give her some supplies to donate, so I took a little trip to Walmart. Walmart has some great deals on school supplies right now. Whether you need supplies or you are looking to donate, I would highly suggest visiting Walmart. I bought everything seen below for under $5. There are many places looking for school supplies, like elementary schools and/or Salvation Army. School is just around the corner, can you give a helping hand?

                                

God bless,

Kailee

Day 214: Friends For Life

This afternoon, I was able to spend a little time with a very special gentleman at the baseball game. His name is Warren and he was throwing out the first pitch. He is a very happy young man who down right loves baseball. Now Warren has special needs, but had more joy and passion than anyone I know. Despite the rain, this young man was able to make my entire night better. Oh, and I wish I could describe the look on his face when he threw the ball all the way to the pitcher. You would have thought he just struck a batter out at the World Series.

An experience like this is nothing new for our past Miss Tri-Cities Outstanding Teen, Tayler Plunkett. With her platform, she has been able to make a difference and make some amazing friends with special needs. I was hoping to get this on here before she gave up her title two weeks ago, but I figured now is a fitting time. She will be competing for Miss Sun Valley's Outstanding Teen this weekend. Best of luck Tayler! Let's take a look at Tayler's platform.

What is the title of your platform?
TP: My platform is Friends For Life; Providing Support for Children and Teen with Disabilities. 

How can one get involved with your platform?
TP: I would LOVE if you spent time with someone with a disability. My platform is all about teaching children and teens to reach out to people with disabilities, so they can be fully integrated into society and participate in all that life has to offer. 

Why did you choose your platform?
TP: I chose my platform because one of my best friends has Cerebral Palsy and I have seen her be hurt time after time by people who don't treat her right because she has a disability. She entered high school without any friends because no one was willing to reach out to her. Her school didn't have a Buddy Club established. [For those of you who are not aware, Buddy Club is a high school program creating friendships between teens and teens with disabilities.]

God bless you Tayler and God bless what you do!

God bless,

Kailee

Day 213: Helped Move

This is more of a thank you than a random act of kindness, but I am still going to put it out there. Bright and early this morning my mom, Austin and I drove up to Cheney to move into my new apartment. When we pulled in, Demie (roommate) and her parents were also pulling in. We both decided to move early in the morning because we both had to make it home for work. Overall, I say we made great time. Our apartment that we were moving out of was on the third floor and our new apartment just so happened to be on the third floor in a different area. For us to move into our new apartment, we needed to be completely out of our old apartment. Meaning everything had to be packed up and moved! Knowing we didn't have too much time we got to work and there was no stopping until we were all done.

                           

In the end we were able to get all that we needed done and were back on the road in no time. It was definitley a team effort and I am so grateful for everyone who helped. It didn't matter if it was my stuff or Demie's stuff, we all were hauling stuff up and down. Thank you again so much to my mom, Austin and Demie's parents for taking off work, waking up early and breaking a sweat. We literally could not have done it without you. 

                                       

God bless,

Kailee