International Justice Mission Fundraising Event
Due to the sensitive nature of my platform being Human Sex Trafficking, it is not always appropriate to be taking photos of myself in crown and banner at events. Here is a beautiful and emotional rendering from a local artist who specializes in painting live while the audience listens to music that tells the story of the victims of trafficking. The painting was then auctioned off.
Below are handprints from survivors of sexual trafficking.
Below are handprints from survivors of sexual trafficking.
Children's Cancer Research Fundraiser: Lemonade Days
I Helped my daughter raise $1200 towards Pediatric Cancer through an online/facebook fundraiser and also having a lemonade stand in front of our house. I was so proud of her as she was interviewed by Channel 5 News, WCCO and KARE -11 for their 5 o'clock newscast! She was so articulate! The day before a newsman came without letting us know--he must not have read my press release I sent to all the news stations very well because he was a day early! So we set up the lemonade stand and he shot Chloe alone at the stand waiting for people looking a bit forlorn, well, the next day people came from as far as 45 minutes away just to come and support Chloe's Lemonade stand and Pediatric Cancer!
Here is her interview: http://kstp.com/article/stories/S2152862.shtml?cat=1
Here is her interview: http://kstp.com/article/stories/S2152862.shtml?cat=1
Asked to become an Advisory Board Member for www.Axsexabussersnow.org. Many celebrities are going to be on the board including Fantasia to help create stiffer laws to prosecute sex offenders.
News to come later...
Salvation Army Volunteer for Shopping Spree at Target
Target was generous to donate $80 worth of clothing to local children in need. Tylia is a 9 year old girl whom I was paired up with to shop for her upcoming school year. She looks happy after getting her goodies!
Ronald McDonald House -Bead Making at their Family Day event
This adorable little girl was one of several who were beading bracelets for themselves and family members. These children are here waiting for surgery dates, healing or have a younger sister or brother who is here for surgery. What struck me was her sweetness and kindness, beading a bracelet with a gemstone butterfly on it and giving me a hug before she left. This was one of my most rewarding visits during my reign. I will be back later in the month for their luau which I'm looking forward to!
Chaska City River Days Talent show judge
'Chaska's got talent 'showed that Minnesota is chock full of people with talent! We watched musicians, singers, dancers and comedians perform and decided on several amazing winners from each age category. The Chief of Police, and the Chaska City Commissioner were also on hand to judge.
Mrs. Galaxy send off party!
So many of my friends and supporters came out to wish me well on my journey to Mrs. Galaxy International! Jeremy, Brian and Matt are in the photo to the left and below are Libby and my photographer Tony Cane Honeysett. My husband cooked some mean pasta which I couldnt eat and his amazing appetizers--all authentic italian of course! Chloe had fun playing in a "princess band" with her friends!
Grand re-opening of Amore and Fede in Excelsior
Every thursday night is a girls night out in Excelsior to help promote the local businesses and make it a fun night to frolic, shop and socialize for the girls! Tonight we were celebrating the opening of Amore and Fede and modeled their clothing with Mrs. MN America 2011 Yasmine Ryback.
Modeling at Amore and Fede
The clothing at Amore and Fed is casual and hip! Love their crown shirts!
Podcast Interview with Margie Pederson on the Pod Bean- June
Margie is usually in drag when you meet her, but since we were recording in her home for her weekly podcast, she wasn't in full regalia and used her "picture of beauty" as a disguise. We covered a large range of topics from pageantry to safe sex, and getting through difficulties in life through positive thinking and a supportive environment. Margie is a light and inspiration to many and I was honored to be a part of her show. Here is the podcast: http://mrspederson.podbean.com/2011/06/10/mrs-twin-cities-galaxy-wendi-russo/
Kinship of Greater Minneapolis Mentor Picnic in St. Louis Park
Kinship continues to foster positive mentoring relationships by holding an annual picnic to thank the mentors and to create a fun family event for the mentee. Water balloon fights, face painting with "Hello Kitty", cake and hot dogs abound while the kids played in the park and spent special time with their mentors. Chloe and I came to speak about how special our relationship was with Tyiteanna and the fun we used to have with her. Mentoring is important on so many levels and the memories live on with both the mentor and the mentee.
Lake Goddess night in Excelsior
Yasmine Ryback and I wore our long maxi dresses and had fun promoting the local businesses in Excelsior on girls' night out. We helped out with donations of PB & J to benefit the local food shelf , restocking their shelves for the month!
National American Miss Pageant June 17th & 18th 2011
I was so excited that my daughter won Miss Minnesota Princess in St. Paul at the NAM pageant! You never know what can happen at a pageant so we were thrilled that the judged thought Chloe was as special as we do! Chloe's coach Michelle was there with tears in her eyes --even my husband was crying! Chloe won Miss Personality too which is their Congeniality award! I was almost more proud that she received that award! Chloe won the "Casual Modeling" competition, Best Thank you note, Best Resume and Most Recommendations!
Upcoming Appearances:
JULY:
July 8th: Love 146 Meeting In Eden Prairie
July 19th-Annual Royal Sparkle Night at the Twins to raise money for Gilette Children's Special Healthcare
July 20th. America's Perfect Pageant Royalty Send off party at Youngquest Fitness
Minnesota Girls are not for Sale Conference at the Radisson University Hotel
July 22nd: Judge for the Tropic Bikini Contest at Lord Fletchers'
JUly 23rd: Kinship Picnic in St. Louis Park--Mentoring speaker
July 26th : Salvation ARmy--Target School Spree Shopper Volunteer at Brooklyn Park Target
July 27th- Volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House
July 31st: Judge for Talent Contest at Chaska River City Days & Parade
MRS. GALAXY PAGEANT
August 2nd: Leave for Mrs. Galaxy Pageant
August 3-6th Mrs. Galaxy Pageant
AUGUST:
August 8th: Gilette Children's Annual Golf Outing in North Oaks
August 10th: Lemonade Stand Fundraiser with Ronald McDonald House
August 14th Carver County Fair Centennial Parade
August 20th- Judge for the Truly Unique Pageant in Minneapolis
August 21st: Miss MN High School Pageant at the Mall of America
August 26th: Host and MC for Mainstream Boutique Fashion show at the Rudebega Festival in Wisconsin
August 27th: National AMerican Miss Pageant in Wisconsin
August 29th: Love 146 Meeting
August 30tht: Ronald McDonald House Luau Fundraiser
SEPTEMBER:
September 4th: Minnesota State Fair Parade
July 8th: Love 146 Meeting In Eden Prairie
July 19th-Annual Royal Sparkle Night at the Twins to raise money for Gilette Children's Special Healthcare
July 20th. America's Perfect Pageant Royalty Send off party at Youngquest Fitness
Minnesota Girls are not for Sale Conference at the Radisson University Hotel
July 22nd: Judge for the Tropic Bikini Contest at Lord Fletchers'
JUly 23rd: Kinship Picnic in St. Louis Park--Mentoring speaker
July 26th : Salvation ARmy--Target School Spree Shopper Volunteer at Brooklyn Park Target
July 27th- Volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House
July 31st: Judge for Talent Contest at Chaska River City Days & Parade
MRS. GALAXY PAGEANT
August 2nd: Leave for Mrs. Galaxy Pageant
August 3-6th Mrs. Galaxy Pageant
AUGUST:
August 8th: Gilette Children's Annual Golf Outing in North Oaks
August 10th: Lemonade Stand Fundraiser with Ronald McDonald House
August 14th Carver County Fair Centennial Parade
August 20th- Judge for the Truly Unique Pageant in Minneapolis
August 21st: Miss MN High School Pageant at the Mall of America
August 26th: Host and MC for Mainstream Boutique Fashion show at the Rudebega Festival in Wisconsin
August 27th: National AMerican Miss Pageant in Wisconsin
August 29th: Love 146 Meeting
August 30tht: Ronald McDonald House Luau Fundraiser
SEPTEMBER:
September 4th: Minnesota State Fair Parade
Edina Art Fair and Modeling for Bessie's Boutique- June
Bessie owns a fabulous pageant shop with lots of fashion that is non-pageant and blingy purses and jewelry. It is located inside a little shopping area near D'Amico's near 50th and France in Edina. I modeled with my daughter who stole the show! in the bottom photo we're with Mrs. MN America 2011 Yasmine Ryback.
The largest Fourth of July Parade in the state: The Delano Parade
People travel from other states to see this several hour long parade
How exciting it was to share in Chloe's first experience in her OWN CAR in a parade! We were shocked to show up in Delano and see that we both had a reproduction of a Great Gatsby car! Mine was a white long beauty and Chloe's was a smaller cream version, perfect for her size! The driver even had seen her interviewed on the news for her Lemonade Stand! The crowd agreed that my car was deemed "Best in Show" for the parade! Thank you Gary Velenti for your beautiful cars!
Dress for Success EXC Fashion show in Excelsior on Water St. - July
I modeled for the antique store Petunia's in Excelsior, whose logo is a cute pink pig wearing a tiara! My daughter and I modeled her adorable t shirt, belt, skirt and jewelry and Chloe carried a pink pig watering can which was adorable!! Thousands were raised today for Dress for Success. It was hot but Twin Cities live was there to host and promote this amazing and fun event!
Twins Sparkle Night to raise money for the Gilette Children's Hospital Fund
Nearly 100 degrees out, hundreds of title holders from across the state showed up at the TArget Center to support Gilette's annual fundraiser for the Children's Hospital in St. Paul. It was hard to stay dry, but it was fun meeting women from all different systems and community festivals! Here is me with my daughter, Miss Minnesota Princess 2011. Below I'm with Yasmine Ryback Mrs. MN America 2011 and under that are the MN Perfect Queens!
Send off party for Minnesota's Perfect Miss, Teen and Mrs. National Pageant
With Delaney Neal, MN Perfect Miss and my daughter at the send off party at Youngquest Fitness for the Perfect Queens. Below with owner and my fitness trainer, Jason YOung of Youngquest Fitness in Eden Prairie
Judging at Lord Fletchers for the Tropic Bikini Model Preliminary Competition.
The girls look great but there were a few stand outs! Delaney Neal came in first runner up and a beautiful waitress from Hooters came in first place. The finals will be held on August 5th at Lord Fletchers.