It was an honor to join the one million Americans and more than 7,500 communities celebrating the 11th Annual Lights On Afterschool on October 21, 2010. President Obama issued a special message for Lights On Afterschool applauding the efforts of afterschool programs. Mt Rushmore and the Empire State Building were lit up for Lights On Afterschool. 50 Governors proclaimed Oct 21 Lights On Afterschool day and the U.S. Senate passed a resolution on Lights On Afterschool.
http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/In Strafford County, more than 250 community members celebrated at the New Hampshire Children's Museum with Suzanne Birdsall from the NH Department of Eduction. Junk to Funk rocked the Rotary Stage and everyone had a blast. It was so nice to catch up with Bridget Farmer who was a Judge at the Miss Strafford County's Outstanding Teen Program. Thank you to all of the educators, program leaders and volunteers who create quality after school programs that enrich the lives of students and families! Love & Miracles, Lauren
P.S. It's always fun to reunite with former Miss Strafford County titleholders. This year four Miss Strafford Countys will compete in the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program: Caitlin McGlinchey (MSC '07), Miss Lakes Region 2011; Jenn Clements (MSC '09), Miss Berlin-Gorham 2011; Lissa Silk (MSC '10), Miss Winnipesaukee 2011 and Miss Strafford County 2011: Kamilah Fucci.
Congratulations to the more than 1,500 runners who participated in the Fourth Manchester City Marathon to raise funds for The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester http://www.mhcgm.org/. Thank you to Andy Schachat, Mayor Ted Gatsas and Anthem for an exciting day of racing. Congratulations to 2010 Race Champion Evan Graves who finished in 2:29:39! Hope to see you running next year http://www.cityofmanchestermarathon.com/.
Congratulations to Brittany Freeman, Miss Gate City; Brittany Dube, Miss Souhegan Valley; Victoria Whalen, the new Miss Gate City's Outstanding Teen; Makenzie Goode, Miss Gate City Preteen and Ariel Hunt, Little Miss Gate City!
P.S. It was awesome to see my friend Kendall http://www.missmaoutstandingteen.org/ who was working at the Miss Massachusetts Booth next door. I'll see her again soon at the Skating Club of Boston for BLADES AND BALLOONS to benefit Children's Miracle Network hosted by Miss Massachusetts 2010: Loren Galler Rabinowitz. Order your tickets today at http://missmass.org/
Macy's fifth annual "Shop For A Cause" charity shopping event on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010 raised more than $4 million dollars for Feeding America and The Family Violence Prevention Fund.
