More Holiday Visits

The holiday festivities have continued! Last Wednesday, Lorraine Gorham invited me to a “Holiday Party” at Dean Vocational High School in Holyoke, MA. I did not receive much information about what this event was about, but being the “up-for-anything-type” gal that I am, I wanted to attend anyway. When I arrived at Dean Vocational, I was very excited to walk into a cafeteria filled with over 400 people who had just got back from “Bright Nights” in Springfield, MA! What a turn out! There were people of all ages present along with a live band. I was quickly whisked away to the front of the room where the band introduced me and I spoke about my job as “Miss Massachusetts”, my platform, and my preparations for “Miss America.” Then I posed for pictures and signed autographs until the event was over. My hand felt like it was going to fall off and my face felt like it was frozen in a smile, but I had so much fun that those things didn't even matter!

The next day, I was fortunate enough to visit Baystate Hospital in Springfield, MA to help “William B. Meyer, Inc.” distribute teddy bears to the patients. I met Ely Dunn and the Representatives from “William B. Meyer” on the Playdeck at Baystate Hospital. Baystate is a “Children's Miracle Network” Hospital and what makes these hospitals so great is that they really make an effort to not only improve the health of the patients, but also the quality of life of the patients. The playdeck at Baystate is like an indoor plaground for children including toys, games, and colorful paintings. It is a place for them to go where they can forget that they are in a hospital and remember that they are children. While delivering teddy bears, I met with man children and families in the hospital. I hope that I brightened their day because they indeed enriched my own.

Thank you to William B. Meyer, Inc, Ely Dunn, and Baystate Hospital. God Bless!

Love, Alicia