It has been a busy month, and it's not over yet.
November 8th--
I had a wonderful night at the Phoenix Country Club supporting the Ryan House. 100% of the proceeds benefitted the mission of Ryan House, which provides respite and palliative care to children with life-threatening conditions and, as-needed, end-of-life care. It was a pleasure meeting some of the top professional women's tennis players who competed in the Goldwater Women's Tennis Classic (a USTA Pro Circuit Event).
The weekend of November 11th was busy with a photoshoot and I had the opportunity to be part of the mock interview panel for 14 of the Miss Arizona Teen USA and Miss Arizona USA contestants. WOW! These young women were articulate, intelligent, poised and beautiful!
November 17th was World Prematurity Day with the March of Dimes. I spent some time at St. Joseph's Hospital and had the opportunity to speak to many individuals and bring awareness to the March of Dimes. 1 in 8 babies is born premature, and that is the leading cause of infant mortality.
Last year when I was Mrs. Gilbert I met this incredible family at the hospital when I was doing rounds with the March of Dimes as a NICU Parent Support Volunteer. I visited mom in the hospital and baby in the NICU. She was born 15 weeks prematurely and weighed 1 lb 11 oz. Last week I was so blessed to be reunited with them. Look at this beautiful, healthy little girl...she just celebrated her 1st Birthday!
November 19--Gilbert Days Parade. This was my second year participating in the parade. Last year as Mrs. Gilbert, and this year as Mrs. Arizona America. Two of my children rode in the parade with me, which was their very first time being in a parade and they were SO excited! Thank you to Superstition Springs Lexus for allowing us to use your red convertible!
After the parade it was time to head to Prescott for the rest of the weekend where I was a V.I.P guest at the Habitat for Humanity Toolbelts & Tuxedos black tie annual event. WOW, this was an incredible event! I was so honored to be asked to be part of this spectacular event. Six weeks after I won Mrs. Arizona I spent 16 days in West Virginia at the Mrs. America pageant. While I was there, the 51 contestants had the opportunity to help build a habitat home. Yes, I hammered, moved siding, painted, etc. We even met the family that would be moving into the home after it was complete. Special thanks to Jules Clark of Habitat for Humanity and Steve Bracety, GM of the Prescott Resort & Conference Center (who happens to be a friend of mine from the 26 months we studied together in graduate school). Thank you Habitat for Humanity for continuing to touch so many lives!
Diane DeNegris, Me & Kelly Wisniewski
November 22: Special thanks to Bashas', Channel 12, Mix 96.9, St Vincent de Paul and all of t
he businesses and families in our wonderful community who donated turkeys and gave cash donations to help make Turkey Tuesday, the nations largest turkey drive, a success! 100% of the proceeds go to the society of St. Vincent de Paul. (Pictured: Paul Short-Bashas' Store Mgr., Mrs. Arizona and Ron Geronimo of Mix 96.9)
After the parade it was time to head to Prescott for the rest of the weekend where I was a V.I.P guest at the Habitat for Humanity Toolbelts & Tuxedos black tie annual event. WOW, this was an incredible event! I was so honored to be asked to be part of this spectacular event. Six weeks after I won Mrs. Arizona I spent 16 days in West Virginia at the Mrs. America pageant. While I was there, the 51 contestants had the opportunity to help build a habitat home. Yes, I hammered, moved siding, painted, etc. We even met the family that would be moving into the home after it was complete. Special thanks to Jules Clark of Habitat for Humanity and Steve Bracety, GM of the Prescott Resort & Conference Center (who happens to be a friend of mine from the 26 months we studied together in graduate school). Thank you Habitat for Humanity for continuing to touch so many lives!
November 22: Special thanks to Bashas', Channel 12, Mix 96.9, St Vincent de Paul and all of the businesses and families in our wonderful community who donated turkeys and gave cash donations to help make Turkey Tuesday, the nations largest turkey drive, a success! 100% of the proceeds go to the society of St. Vincent de Paul. (Pictured: Paul Short-Bashas' Store Mgr., Mrs. Arizona and Ron Geronimo of Mix 96.9)
That evening I was invited to attend the Ronald McDonald A McNight to Remember in Wonderland event~A Storybook Evening to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix. I had the opportunity to model thousands of dollars in David Yurman jewelry and one of the bracelets was raffled off to a lucky winner! In addition to supporting this amazing organization, I was so proud of Debbie Castaldo (Mrs. Arizona America 2002) who was the recipient of the Heart of House Award at the event!
