October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Happy (almost) October blogger friends!!

As most of you hopefully know, October is the month were it is acceptable for grown men (particularly professional athletes), women, children and pets to be covered in a hue we like to call PINK! In support of Breast Cancer Awareness, the nation looks to that little pink ribbon to help raise money to cure this tragic disease. Organizations like Susan G. Komen and the American Cancer Association put forth year long efforts to lead up to their busiest month of the year!

In about two weeks, I'll be participating in the Dover, NH Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk- and I'm searching for your support!! I will be walking on "Team Perky Pinkie's"- containing lifelong friends, also a family I feel I have been "adopted" into! We are walking in honor of and with not one, but TWO survivors!!!

We have currently raised a little over $300 but still need help meeting our goal of $1,000! If you would like to donate to this worthy cause, please click on the link below or copy the link to your browser to view our team page!

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY12NewEngland?team_id=977450&pg=team&fr_id=36167

Thank you in advance for your support!!

Team "Perky Pinkies" last year at the Rochester, Relay for Life

Shopping, babies and savings! Oh my!!

I had the opportunity last weekend, August 27th, to be a guest model for the annual Macy's "Shop for A Cause!" This is an event, I was so lucky to be involved with for the second year in a row!

All proceeds went to the March of Dimes, a national organization that aims to find a cure and support families for infants born premature. This chapter has and will forever hold a special place in my heart. A dear friend gave birth to a beautiful little girl three years ago, who just couldn't wait to see the world any longer. She arrived 8 weeks early at a whopping 4 lbs. After three scary weeks in the NICU at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital, I have had the privilege of watching her reach amazing milestones and grow to be full of life!

Shoppers who braved Hurricane Irene donated $5 to receive a shopping pass which gave them 25% off their purchase! Talk about a "back-to-school" sale!! Since 2006, "Shop for A Cause" day has raised over $38 million for local and national charities! I feel blessed to be a part of such an amazing event! Can't wait until next year!!

All photos courtesy of Rebecca Scalera

Here we go again!

After what has been an extremely long time, I am making a conscious effort to get back to my blogging ways!

Throughout the last year of my life, I've worked with some amazing adults, children and programs! I've learned more than I could ever imagine from the school department that I was fortunate enough to join. The staff and students took me into their community and made me feel like a family member returning from a long journey. No matter what happens in my career and life, I will never forget how I have felt in my time there!

This summer has brought me amazing experiences as well. To begin the glorious sunshine months, I was able to witness something I thought would never come. The Boston Bruins- WINNING the Stanley Cup! By growing up in a hockey crazed household, I had become accustom to the build up and the let down that is the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. Needless to say, I celebrated that win like a true New Englander; on the streets of Boston. This was absolutely a memory I will never forget!

Celebrating the Bruins Stanley Cup Victory! June 2011

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time this summer in the sun, exploring new music, attending concerts and following the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. My trip to Charlotte, NC in May was an experience I won't be forgetting anytime soon. The range of emotion I experienced during the Coca Cola 600 was incredible. If you ever have an opportunity to attend this patriotic and heart racing event, I highly recommend it. I've never felt such pride to be an American than I did during the pre-race events! The NASCAR season itself has been exciting and unpredictable to follow as well! With so many first-time winners, intensity, confrontation and a change in the format for the Chase, it's sure to be an exciting ending!

Troops form around the world enjoying the Darryl Worley pre-race concert!

NASCAR reunited a soldier with his wife from home. Quite the tearjerker!

Passion on Ice, Pink the Rink and Miss University

The Sharper Edge synchronized skating team

This past weekend I had the opportunity to support some incredible causes! On Sunday, I joined Miss Winnipesaukee, Miss Strafford County Kamilah Fucci and Miss Strafford County's Outstanding Teen Lauren Percy for the 2nd Annual Passion on Ice. The event featured incredible talent and raised money to the New Hampshire Breast Cancer Coalition and the Children's Miracle Network!! We had a fabulous day!

Miss Gate City & NHL Florida Panthers Ice Dancer Brittany Freeman

Later that evening, I attended the Manchester Monarchs "Pink the Rink" event!! Not only was it a great cause with sales being donated to the fight against breast cancer, it was a unique experience to see grown men in pink jerseys skating on pink colored ice! I was there to celebrate not only a birthday, but a battle WON against breast cancer for one of my best friend's mother!! It was an incredible day!

"Pink the Rink"- So cool!! 

The next day, I competed for the title of Miss University at "home" aka. UNH. It was a great day, with a group of fabulous and talented girls! Congrats to Miss University 2011 Kacie Ferarro.