Palm Springs Light Parade

Merry Christmas!

Here I am with my sister title holders, Gretheel, Ashley and Dedria at the annual Palm Springs Light Parade. It was so much fun spending time with my sister title holders and our amazing director, Eddie. We enjoyed talking about nationals over hot cups of cocoa while opening our christmas presents. I loved riding in the light parade and spreading the Christmas spirit to all of the people watching the parade. Thank you so much Eddie for putting this wonderful weekend together!

Congratulations to the new Mandarin Queens!

This past Saturday, I was honored to be a guest at the Mandarin Festival's Mini Miss, Young Miss and Junior Miss Mandarin pageant. It was a wonderful pageant with a lot of really great girls. Thanks to Tono Fossum, the pageant was a success and all of the girls had an amazing time. But, this pageant was truly special to me because two of the contestants are some of my wonderful friends at Acres of Hope. Hannah, who is eleven years old lives at Acres and she was crowned the new 2009 Junior Miss Mandarin fashion winner. Go Hannah!!! And Breanna, an adorable four year old at AoH was crowned Mini Miss Mandarin 2009! Wow. Congrats to you both, I am so proud. And congratulations to the new Young Miss and Junior Miss Mandarin queens!

Happy Birthday, Hannah!!!

I began mentoring Hannah this August and we have grown very close. She was pretty excited when she opened her present to find her very own iPod Shuffle. We started off her birthday night at the local nail salon. Where Hannah and I enjoyed a nice manicure and pedicure then made our way to Chevy's with Lisa (Hannah's mom) and my mom. And what would a birthday be without a cake?? When we came home, some of the Acres moms, my mom, and Hannah's mom gathered around the table and turned off the lights while Hannah and I were in the other room. They lit the candles and called Hannah in to "pick up some toys". She was so surprised when she noticed the candles illuminating the room and everyone singing "Happy Birthday" to her!! We all such a blast and I hope Hannah had a special day. Happy Birthday, Hannah!

Lisa, Hannah, Heather, Baby Alex, and me

Celebrating Hannah's birthday! Heather and her two sons, Michael and Alex are brand new to Acres and everyone is enjoying having them! This picture was just before Hannah opened her 11th birthday present from my family and I.

Laura, Lisa, Hannah and Me at the Festival

Laura, Lisa and Hannah are all residents at Acres of Hope. I was so proud and honored that Laura, Lisa and Hannah all got up to share their stories with everyone who attended the festival. They are all such amazing people who have been through a tremedous amount in their lives. I am so proud to be a part of their healing. Thank you for sharing such a big part of your lives with us! You are all such amazing people and I am proud to call you my friends!

Keeping Hope Alive First Annual Harvest Festival

Keeping Hope Alive First Annual Harvest Festival

This Saturday was the day that I had been waiting for for a very long time. Ever since I heard about Acres of Hope, I have wanted to organize a fundraiser for them. But, I have never been able to actually do it...until now! I raised about $1,000 for Acres at the fundraiser and I feel very proud. It was so much fun having all of the moms and children from AoH come and see my house and especially have a wonderful time. I am so grateful for all of the wondferful sponsors who pitched in to make this event the best it could be. Thank you so much! All of the kids had a great time playing games, jumping on the bounce houses, petting the animals in the petting zoo and so much more! What an amazing day. I know that we will continue to make the Keeping Hope Alive Harvest Festival a continual event and hopefully raise even more money and raise even more awareness about Acres of Hope in the years to come. Thank you again to each and every person who made this possible. I truly appreciate it.

Oakhills Elementary School

This past Friday, I took a trip down Memory Lane when I spoke at Oakhills Elementary School. I attended Oakhills when I was younger and I actually got to go back and speak to the my old teacher's classes. I had a blast seeing all of the fun costumes that the kids were in. It was just too cute! A big thank you to Mrs. Ellison for allowing me to come and speak at Oakhills. It was good to be back!

Placer County Emergency Child Services

About a month ago, Dedria Brunett(Ms Teen CA Intl) asked me to be the Northern California Rep. for her orginization Luggage of Love. I delivered fourteen pieces of brand new luggage to the Placer County Emergency Child Services last week. From diaper bags to duffles, the children and teens are enjoying their luggage! Thank you so much Dedria for supplying the luggage, they really appreciate it!

Young Miss and Junior Miss Auburn Pageant

It was so much fun attending the Young Miss and Junior Miss Auburn Pageant this Saturday. I was amazed by how confident these young ladies were on stage. It was fantastic hearing about everything that they are doing to make a difference and sharing with them what I do with Acres of Hope. Congratulations to the new Young Miss Auburn, Gabrielle Anderson and our new Junior Miss Auburn, Samantha Slade! Wonderful job, girls. To all of the other delegates, remember to keep trying and to never give up. I didn't win the Junior Miss Auburn Pageant when I competed. But, that only motivated me more and helped me to move on and keep trying. Great job, everyone and congrats to our new title holders!!!

Sierra College and Lyon Real Estate

I felt so honored when I was asked to speak at the Sierra College speech class and at the Lyon Real Estate Roseville Office. It was an awesome experience speaking to an audience so much older then me. I hope that I was able to touch their hearts and encourage them to work with Acres of Hope! Thank you so much Tiffany and Katelynn Grimes for supporting me in what I do. You are both so involved with Acres of Hope and I truly appreciate it!

Manzanita Fifth Graders

Some of the great fifth graders at Manzanita...and of course, the wonderful Manzanita mascott

These kids were so much fun to talk to. They were full of questions and I was fortunate enough to be able to answer each individual question and really get involved with the children. I think I may have even recruited a couple of pageant girls! Thank you dearly to Paula Mellon for arranging this!

Here I am with the kids at Grant School

I had such a wonderful time speaking to the 5th-8th graders at Grant School in Redding, California. It was amazing to tell them about Acres of Hope. I also shared with them how they could be making a difference, too! I knew that I had truly impacted these children when several fifth grade girls aproached me and told me that I was a role model that they could look up to! Wow. Thank you so much Treycee Batman for arranging this apearance. I had an amazing time!

Manzanita and Grant

This weekend, I'm heading up to Redding, California to speak at Manzanita and Grant. Which are two local schools in Redding. I'm looking forward to kicking off Red Ribbon Week and sharing my story about Acres of Hope. I'll make sure to post some pictures!

Janice Hahn

Dedria, Janice Hahn, and I at the Tony Hawk event. Janice Hahn is the LA City Councilwomen, District15. She is currently running for Lieutenant Governor of California. If she is elected, she will be the first Female Lieutenant Governor of the State of California! Nice meeting you, Janice.

Kenneth and I

Kenneth is one of the precious children at Acres.

Dedria, Sofia, and I at the Tony Hawk Foundation

Dedria and I met the sweetest little girl, Sofia at the Tony Hawk Foundation, Stand up for Skate Parks Fundraiser.

The Tony Hawk Foundation, Stand up for Skate Parks 6th annual event

This weekend, my sister title holder, Miss Teen California International 2010, Dedria Brunett and I felt like true queens at the Tony Hawk Foundation, Stand up for Skate Parks fund raiser. Along with people like Big Black to Tom Green, Dedria and I were asked to represent the wonderful state of California and walk the red carpet at a Beverly Hills mansion. But, we weren't just there for the glamor. We were there with Ex Drinks to support a cause that is truly impacting youth, today. Tony Hawk's Stand up for Skate Parks is a foundation that raises money to build community skate parks across California. As Tony Hawk said, he isn't just raising money to poor cement. But, instead, getting kids out there and on their feet doing something active. Giving them something positive to do, a way to set goals, and keeping them out of the trouble that kids get into when they are bored. We felt so blessed to be able to be a part in this event. A big thanks to Deborah and Otho Behr for welcoming us! And of course to Tony Hawk for starting such an impacting organization!

Dedria and I speaking at Forest Lake Christian School!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

This week, my sister title holder, Miss Teen California International 2010, Dedria Brunett came to visit. We started out the day by speaking at my very own school, Forest Lake. We then moved on to Acres of Hope, where Dedria shared her story with the moms. And of course, we played with the kids!! After that, we drove back to my school and spoke at the girl's bible study. What amazing girls! We then made our way to the Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital Infusion Clinic to visit with the nurses and patients. Soon after, we went to Oaks of Auburn, the elderly home in my town. What fun people! Next, we made our way to the Placer County Children's Emergency Shelter. Where Dedria iniated Luggage of Love in Placer County! She actually asked me to be the Northern California Representative for Luggage of Love. What an honor! And to sum up the day we drove to Renew Boutique. Which is the second hand store that generates $5,000 for Acres of Hope each month!!! Thanks to all of the Renew volunteers. This store truly is a blessing! And of course, last but most definitely not least, we stopped by to say hi to Courtney Critz (JR MS SACRAMENTO INTL.) and Tiffany Tollet (Owner of Crowns and Gowns). Good seeing you two!

Acres of Hope Harvest Festival

Please join me October 31, 2009 for the Acres of Hope Benefit Harvest Festival. 12:00 - 5:00 in the afternoon. Tickets will be sold at the gate of the event. $20.00 for adults - $10.00 for kids. This will be a faith based family event including a BBQ lunch, games, hayrides music, bounce houses and more. All proceeds will benefit Acres of Hope. We are also accepting used clothing for the Acres of Hope ReNew Boutique in Roseville. There will be a drop off area at the gate of the event. 9994 Mount Vernon Road, Auburn Calfornia. Please RSVP to acresharvestfestival@yahoo.com. Hope to see you there!

Cory, one of the models in the Janet Nachtman Foundation fashion show!!

My new friend, Cory and I at the Jannet Nachtman Foundation benefit in Eldorado Hills. I spent the night with Courtney Crossman (Teen Miss Folsom) and Stephanie Gerber (Junior Miss Folsom) selling raffle tickets to raise money for the Janet Nachtman Foundation. Helping pay for mamagrams for women at Marshal Hospital. Thanks to all of the volunteers for coming out and helping!

Forest Lake Christian School

Today I visited the Forest Lake Christian School K-3 classes! It was so much fun!! Their favorite part was when I took out my crown. The girls were absolutley sure that Cinderella had the same crown! What wonderful children. I hope to go back and play with the kids very soon!

Wednesday night AoH visit!

Hannah, Alyssa, and I at Acres of Hope. I love my Wednesday night visits with all of the adorable children at Acres!! Hannah is the wonderful ten year old girl that I began mentoring this summer. It has been amazing having the opportunity to be a role model for her. She and I have become very close and I look forward to some fun adventures!

Chloe and me before the banquet!

My good friend, Chloe and I before the Acres of Hope Golf Banquet. Chloe helps out at Acres of Hope as well and has been an incredible support for me and the kids. Thanks Chloe!!

Acres of Hope Golf Tournament

I was the guest speaker last night at the dinner following a fund raiser golf tournament for Acres at the Ridge in Auburn, California. The turnout was excellent, the dinner was exceptional, and I enjoyed telling the golfers about my experience with Acres. Two families stayed at Acres to watch the kids so the Mom's could join everyone for dinner. There were a lot of tears and smiles, a lot of thanks from grateful hearts, and certainly a feeling of family! It was the first time out for many of the Mom's, and I was so proud to be there!

Playing with Joseph at Acres of Hope!

Eleven month old, Joseph and I playing peek-a-boo at Acres of Hope. Joseph is the youngest of four boys and is a new resident at Acres. Soo precious!

Miss California International Pageant

The Downey, California Embassy Suites flooded with girls this September 2009. Sequins and rhinestones filled the lobby while smiling girls in sashes gracefully swept through the hotel. From Donate Life ambassadors to Cancer Society supporters, we were all there for the same reason. Not only for the dazzling crown or the famous California International sash, but to support a cause that we were each individually passionate about. I myself was there to promote awareness and funds for homeless children in California. But, most importantly to share the story of my platform, Acres of hope. Of course, as Junior Miss Folsom 2009, I was there to represent Folsom but along with all of the other fifty-five girls that had traveled from all over California, I wanted to win. I was fortunate enough to meet so many amazing girls that I will continue to keep in touch with but, as it came down to finals it brought everyone even closer. From bright orange ruffled dresses all the way to silver beaded gowns, we all stood on stage holding hands. Hearts racing and minds boggled that any of us had even been so blessed to make it that far, the emcee grasped the microphone and spoke the nine dramatic words that we had all been waiting for. “And the winner of Junior Miss California International 2010 is…Claire Wright!!” I was so thankful and I could not have been any happier with the turn out of the show. I look forward to an amazing year as Junior Miss California International 2010.