FOR THE FIRST TIME, the organisers of Miss Big & Beautiful pageant will be embracing charity in a large way through an initiative called Project Give Back. It will incorporate fundraising for needy causes into the pageant, and organisers are asking Barbados to support these efforts.
Director Tonia Husbands said the nine contestants have been divided into two groups, Team Happy Helpers and Team Open Arms, with the intent to host a fundraising event for a charity of their choice. All the proceeds from each event will go toward that charity.
Husbands said this new project component of the pageant, now in its 11th year, would test the contestants’ ability to work as a team while giving back to their community.
“Pageants should not only been viewed for a persons’ beauty but also as a way of developing oneself. There is no greater feeling than when you assist someone who is less fortunate than yourself. Teamwork also tests the character of the individual as many organisations such as universities and companies require teamwork at some point in time. It isn’t always easy but worth it at the end,” she said.
??Lesser known charity
??Team Happy Helpers will be led by Lisa Frederick, and include reigning queen Deborah Bartlett, Akilah Martin, Danielle Agard and Kimberly Walrond. They will be raising funds for the lesser known charity, Hope for Children through a Sunday brunch and fashion show called Summer Utopia on August 24 at the Marina Bar and Restaurant, formerly known as the Bump and Wine Café in the City.
Through donation barrels set up at Jordan’s Supermarket, St Peter, and Trimart Rendezvous, the group is hoping for pens, pencils, books, clothes and other such items for the less fortunate. Tomorrow, they will host a $1 drive at Jordan’s Supermarket, Speightstown, and at Massy Stores Super Centre Oistins, on Sunday.
The second group, Team Open Arms Barbados consists of leader Joyann Butcher, Heike Batson, Diandra Jemmott, Crystal Boyce and Saundra Griffith.
Their charity of choice is the Barbados Alzheimer’s Association of Barbados and their charity event, a tea party-themed, To Paris With Love, will be held on August 31 at the Royal Gardens, The Belle, St Michael from 3 p.m.
This group chose the Alzheimer’s cause after two of its members lost loved ones to the disease.
“The Miss Big & Beautiful organisation is asking corporate Barbados to lend its assistance in donating food items or monetary donations to assist these two groups in making their events successful as all proceeds will be going to persons who are in need in our community,” said Husbands. (Green Bananas Media)
