LGH TeamWalk Registration Day

On Saturday, May 15, I was able to meet walkers who were registering for the LGH TeamWalk to take place the very next day. It was amazing to meet more people who have been treated at the LGH Cancer Center and to hear their stories and see that they are now taking part in this amazing walk. There was one woman who heard about the walk, and presented us an envelope with a donation in her name as she is not able to walk, but wanted to make a contribution. It was so exciting to meet children that would be taking part in this walk as well with the families, it really does start in the home and becomes a wonderful thing when the young get involved in events like this. I was also take upstairs to meet the team that was busily counting up the donations received as they were coming in minute by minute. I got to get my team shirt from Kevin Campbell who is the organizer of Team JoMama, in memory of his late wife who has a similar story to my mom's. Kevin's team at this point was one of the highest fundraisers, which is so exciting to be part of for me and seeing him go out and work so hard and passionately for TeamWalk. Its going to be a great day with lots of walkers, beautiful weather, and fun festivities. I can't wait to speak at the opening ceremony and the lead the walkers as their Honorary Chairperson for TeamWalk 2010!

LGH TeamWalk Drive at Dunkin Donuts

On May 7, I had the best time working with Lowell General Hospital Staff giving out information about the LGH TeamWalk for CancerCare. I was out by the drive thru with Bruce, and let me tell you, that man doesn't need any coffee with all the enthusiasm he shows for this event. It was wonderful to see how many people had already taken part in the walk in previous years and would again this year as well as the ones that asked questions about the walk in general and gave thought to participate for the first time. Frank FM's Sarah Sullivan was there doing a live broadcast as well. I can only imagine how successful TeamWalk with be this year with raising funds to benefit the community patients and their families! I am incredbly blessed and honored to have been named the Honorary Chairperson for the 2010 TeamWalk!

Habitat for Humanity - Women Build Week

On Wednesday, May 5, I organized for a few ladies from my office at PointRight to take part in Women Build Week for the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell. I was amazed to see the progress on the Wiggins Family House which I first worked on in February. The master trench that I helped to dig with Lacey and Brooke was now completely cemented with a floor. The upstairs where we had written our messages of love on the skeleton part of the walls was now enclosed with a beautiful kitchen. I was able to also chat with Debra Wiggins who will be moving in with her family in July and see the excitement build in her eyes knowing that this is her home. She is an amazing woman who is giving back to Habitat by helping with her house as well as the new builds that will be starting in the same development. This time around I learned how to use two different types of table saws, measure out wood panels for the hardwood floors in the closet, and also to use a nail gun to put up the baseboards. This was incredbly rewarding, and who knows, maybe someday I'll be taking up the rug and putting down floors in our master bedroom at our house. I know that Debra's son who has cerebral palsy and her daughter who attends school in Bedford will love their new home. The next time I see Debra will be on June 26 as she is handed the keys to her new home at the dedication ceremony.

May Day - Polish Constitution Day

On May 2 I had the honor of being a part of the May Day, Polish Constitution Day! This was such an incredible honor to me as my mother who I represent throughout my year of reign as Mrs. Massachusetts was born in Poland, and this was a beautiful tribute to the country that she came from. I got this honor through a beautiful Breast Cancer Survivor that I met through the Lowell General Hospital TeamWalk for Cancer Care, Beverly Seibert. She is a member of Lowell's Dom Polski and mentioned to the committee that she had met Mrs. Massachusetts whose mother was from Poland. The most wonderful part of this ceremony was that my father and I were asked to raise the Polish Flag on the steps of Lowell's City Hall. My family and I were welcomed into the Dom Polski Club with an Honorary Membership. As I stood on the steps of City Hall and spoke about what being Polish meant to me and how my mother originally came from Poland, I couldn't help to think how proud she must have been that I was bringing recognition to her native Poland in my community, and also introducing my daughter Sierra to our Polish Heritage as well. I thank everyone for the opportunity and for making this a very special moment during my year as Mrs. Massachusetts, and it truly shows that you never know what doors and opportunities may present themselves to you at any given moment.

Central Massachusetts Heart Walk

On Saturday, May 1, I attended the Central Massachusetts Heart Walk with Brooke Bibeault, Miss Massachusetts Teen USA. The Heart Walk is part of the American Heart Association, which also runs the Go Red for Women Campaign, the platform of the Mrs. International System. I was excited to once again see Lisa Einstein, the Director of Marketing for the Massachusetts Heart Association affiliate. Brooke and I were not expected to walk, just to mix and mingle with the crowd, cheer them on at the start line, and then welcome them back at the finish line. However, we decided that we would walk, at least the mile, well, while walking, we kept on going with crowd, chatting with walkers, and ultimately completed the six mile walk, all while wearing our flip flops. Along the route, we were asked to have our picture taken with a little boy named Matthew who is 9 years old with Severe Pulmonary Stenosis and an Atrial Septal Defect. We come across his picture during the closing ceremon on the "We Are Special Board", and we where honored that his family had asked us to be a part of his walk and to be photgraphed with him! It was an amazing day, and very inspiring to be part of a walk with so many people who are survivors with heart related issues, and making a difference to spread the word about the importance of Heart Health! This walk and the American Heart Association is making a difference for children like Matthew and so many others!

Mrs. MA/NH United States Pageant

On Sunday, April 25, I attended the Mrs. Massachusetts/New Hampshire United States 2010 Pageant. It was wonderful to reconnect with many old friends and to meet some new ones. Last year I competed in this pageant 8 weeks after my daughter Sierra was born as a way to get back into shape. During this time I realized that I could make an impact with my platform of Breast Cancer Awareness and the Importance of Early Detection after losing my mother to this disease in 2007. Outgoing queens were Wendy Jack and Irene Alton (who happens to be a former Mrs. New Hampshire International and also the new Director for the MA/NH US Pageants). I also was able to reconnect with Kelly Howe, Mrs. Maine International and meet Jennifer Mallios, Mrs. New Hampshire International, both ladies that I will be competing with at Mrs. International in July. When the pageant concluded, the new Mrs. Massachusetts United States was Jennifer Korzeb, and Mrs. New Hampshire was Racheal Bohac. Good luck to both of these ladies as they travel the Mrs. United States Pageant in July out in Las Vegas!

Lowell General Hospital Teddy Bear Clinic

On Saturday April 24, I visited the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua, NH to be part of Lowell General Hospital's Teddy Bear Clinic. This clinic allowed children to bring their stuffed animals to various stations for physical examintions. They were taught how to put a band aid on a boo boo, given flu shots, had their blood pressure taken, and various other things to prepare children for their own doctor appointments. I was able to meet so many cute children and help out at the boo boo station. One little girl touched my heart so much when I heard the story how her dad was on his third tour with the military in Iraq. We took a picture with her mom's cell phone with the little girl wearing my crown to send to her dad in Iraq. It was so nice to be part of putting a smile on her face and sharing that moment with her dad so many miles away! It was an honor to be part of this event representing my position as the Honorary Chairperson for Lowell General Hospital's TeamWalk for CancerCare!