Fundraising

For the last three years, I have organized fundraisers for various charities including Erick’s Hope (founded in memory of my 12 year old cousin who passed away three years ago of heart-related problems), the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the American Heart Association.  In all, I have raised thousands of dollars for these good causes while providing volunteer leadership to their cause.

 Many have asked me what I did to fundraise for the various charities that I support.  So, in this blog, I will share with you a few of the ways I successfully raised money for these worthy causes.   

1.       Direct Appeals

In addition to writing letters to my family, friends and neighbors asking for their support, I also went door to door to local merchants enlisting them to donate to my charities. Don’t be afraid to tell people frankly what you are doing, why you are doing it, and what the cause means to you. Be specific when you ask for their support. The reason most people don’t support a worthy cause is because no one asks them to do so. 

2.       Special Events 

I have also coordinated and held dinners, silent auctions, raffles and even a tug-of-war competition on my college campus in order to benefit my charities. Be sure to keep things as close to zero overhead as possible. Use your family home or a friend’s home for the event. If you have friends who are musically talented, ask them to share that gift to make the event all the more special. Ask one restaurant to donate some entrees and other one to donate drinks and so on. Ask other businesses to donate items for the silent auction. Do you know someone with a beach condo? Ask them if they’ll donate a week to be auctioned off. If you have a title, wear your sash and crown, and use the opportunity to explain to them how the International Pageant System puts an emphasis on a platform of charitable service. Don’t forget to invite these supportive businesspeople to attend your event!  Remember, again, the reason most people don’t get involved in charitable good works like this is no one asks them – be the person who asks them! 

This year, as Miss Teen International, I was challenged with an aggressive fundraising goal from the American Heart Association and am proud to say that I not only met the goal, but exceeded it by twenty percent!!!   

In addition to money, I have volunteered over 250 hours for the American Heart Association and over 375 hours for all of my charities!  If you are going to ask other people to support your cause, you have to show you are going to get into the trenches and “work it” yourself. 

At this time I am working to raise funds for another American Heart Association campaign: The Heart Walk.  I will be walking in early November, and if you find it in your heart to donate to this worthy cause and help my team make its’ goal, please go to my donation page and make a gift: 

http://heartwalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=456092&supid=331554729

The American Heart Association is a truly wonderful organization.  Through my internship there this year I have seen firsthand that the money does get channeled to the cause and very little goes towards overhead. 

Thank you! 

Juliana McKee

Miss Teen International 2010

American Heart Association Community Teams

I was honored to be asked to be on the committee for the American Heart Association Community Team for the Washington DC Heart Walk. In addition to serving on the committee and attending planning meetings, I will also be helping to recruit teams of young adults through sororities and fraternities. To start the recruiting, I created Team Sigma Kappa Sorority, as I am a proud member of the Beta Zeta chapter of Sigma Kappa at the University of Maryland! I am also honored to get an opportunity to work with Mrs. North East International who serves as the Director of Community Teams for the American Heart Association Greater Washington Region.

Join me in my efforts to support American Heart Association - Washington, DC! Imagine the impact if we reduce death and disability from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20% by 2020! I’m joining the American Heart Association's Heart Walk to promote physical activity to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Please support me in helping to reach this lifesaving goal by giving a donation today! Thanks in advance for your support!

I invite you to join my team, Team Sigma Kappa Sorority, regardless of whether or not you are affiliated with Sigma Kappa, today! Even an action as simple as joining our team, joining a different existing team, or creating your own team and spreading the word via Facebook, Twitter, email, etc is a huge step in the right direction toward finding answers and ending heart disease, our nation’s #1 killer of both men and women. To join our team, copy and paste the link (below) into your browser and click “Join our team”. Donations of ANY size, big or small, are extremely appreciated- every penny counts in the fight against heart disease! However, it’s 100% free to join our team and we would love to have you join us in supporting the AHA!

http://heartwalk.kintera.org/dc/sigmakappasorority

My individual page is:

http://heartwalk.kintera.org/dc/julianacmckee

Our fundraising enables the American Heart Association to make extraordinary impact on your life and the lives of those around you.  Please click on the links below to learn more about how, because of you, the American Heart Association is fighting heart disease and stroke everyday.

●     Start a new life resolution today with the My Life Check program.

●     Want to do more?  Join You’re The Cure!

●     Gain access to our suite of FREE tools to promote your healthy living.

●     Check out our online HeartHub to better understand health risks and a library of information and resources.

American Heart Association - Washington, DC contact information:

Email Address: gwrheartwalk@heart.org

Phone: (703) 248-1715

Juliana McKee

Erase Cyber-Bull​ying ... Take A Stand!

Cyber Bullying… "Delete it" …. Take a Stand …. Say "No!" to Cyber Bullying!!"

As we lead into Nationals, I want to speak out on the subject of cyber bullying.  I am asking each contestant, director, coach and parent to take a stand against cyber bullying.  If you see someone taking part in cyber bullying, confront them.  If you are being attacked by cyber bullies, tell your family.  I produced a public service announcement for an organization called “Say It to My Face.”   I have never engaged in cyber bullying although I have personally been victimized by it.

I believe those who participate in this behavior will never win, because they are so focused in tearing others down that they lose focus of doing their personal best. 

A Queen does not cyber bully.
A winner does not cyber bully.
Take the pledge to “Delete Cyber Bullying Now!”


Juliana McKee
Miss Teen International 2010

Preparing for Nationals...Get Organized!

Both years that I competed at for Miss Teen International, I prepared a spreadsheet of all my clothes, shoes and accessories for each event during the week.  Once I completed my spreadsheet, I carefully packed each outfit in its’ own garment bag which was labeled by outfit, day, and event. I also organized the accompanying jewelry and shoes and put them with the outfit.

The week is so busy with activities that being organized and ready for a quick change is essential. I also recommend bringing a garment rack for the hotel room as you will definitely need the extra closet/storage room.

Here is a sample of the spreadsheet that I would like to share with you. Feel free to use it as you prepare to compete!

Juliana McKee

Presidential Gold Service Award

For the second year in a row, I was honored to be awarded the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award.  This award recognizes exceptional volunteer and community service. There is a minimum 250 hour service commitment for the award in my age group. I am proud to have actually completed over 375 hours from April 2010-April 2011, including the majority of my reign as Miss Teen International.

I am equally proud to have over 250 hours of volunteer service alone dedicated to my platform, the American Heart Association and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. I encourage all youth to pursue this award, it will certainly help them in the competitive world when applying for college or their first job.

I proudly wear my two gold service award pins on my sash and have two certificate and letters personally signed by the President of the United States!

Thank you to my former director, Rita Sinha, who sponsored me for the award both years.

Juliana McKee

Guest Reader at Elementary School

Recently, after my sister’s graduation festivities, I visited the elementary school that I attended as a child where I did a guest reading for the first grade. I read the children a book titled “The Nature Club.”

After reading the book and answering questions from all of the curious children, I went on to bid farewell to my former fifth grade teacher, who will be retiring at the end of the school year. She was so excited to see me and made sure that I visited the podium at the front of her classroom.

Hanging on the front of the podium was a laminated poem appropriately titled “Podium”, which I had written for her as her student years ago.

She told me that it has graced the front of her podium for the last nine years. Between reading to and talking with the sweet first graders and my visit to my fifth grade teacher, it was such a touching and heartwarming visit!

Juliana McKee

Orlando

My Corporate Sponsor’s International Sales Meeting

My international corporate sponsor’s meeting was relocated to a US destination due to the recent earthquake in Japan. Three out of 5 of their facilities were severely impacted by the disaster. They moved their meeting to Orlando, Florida at the beautiful Peabody Hotel (famous for the Peabody ducks). It was an honor to be invited to the event and to finally meet some of the Japanese executives who were behind the decision to sponsor me for my quest for the title of Miss Teen International.

So once again, I packed my wonderful pink suitcase set (a prize from the International System) and jetted off to sunny Florida. It was a much needed break of sorts, having just finished up my sophomore year of college and final exams. 

When we got there, we were invited to a VIP reception where I met many of the top executives (some of which I had met previously in Atlanta). The next day was full of informational meetings about the effect of the earthquake and new products and research and development efforts.

The 2nd night was an incredible teat as my sponsor rented out the entire Universal Studios for a private party. We had special rides set up just for our group of VIP’s and the food was out of this world.

I spent much of the next day, soaking up the sun at the fabulous pool. It was so nice to finally relax and work on my tan.

By 5 pm I had to be dressed and ready in sash in the Mallard Lobby, I had been asked to help lead the duck march on the red carpet with Donald the Duckmaster. There are 3 world famous Peabody Hotels and each of them has a Duckmaster that leads the ducks from duck palace where they sleep (over $100,000 of marble and fountains grace the duck palace) to the fountain in the hotel. They march to the hotel fountain like clockwork every morning at 11 and back to their palace at 5 pm sharp each night. I was given a walking stick to help with the march and it was so much fun. I was the only one besides the Duckmaster and the ducks allowed to ride in the duck elevator to the duck palace. When we arrived, Donald (real name) gave me a souvenir autographed rubber duck from the Peabody.

The next two nights had special awards dinners and presentations including being entertained by comedian Louie Anderson- he is one of the top 100 comedians in the world and was so funny! Before I knew it, it was, unfortunately, time to go home.

Juliana McKee

Tiara Magazine's "Most Beautiful & Influential People"

Recently, Juliana McKee, Miss Teen International 2010, was named by Tiara Magazine as one of the ten "Most Beautiful & Influential People" in the Industry. She will be featured in Tiara Magazine along with their exclusive interview with her. ….. Check out their website and see who else made the list this year!

http://tiaramag.net/100-most-beautiful-influential

Recess By the River, June 2011

The Spring 2011 “Recess by the River” event was June 7 and is the finale to the second season of the Recess by the River program hosted by the American Heart Association. Personally, this was my fourth Recess by the River event, and it is such a privilege to continue to be at the center of such a worthy project!

In addition to the International Pageant System, Recess by the River received support from Erick’s Hope Foundation, CareFirst BlueCross-BlueShield, the DC Parks and Recreation Department, the National Association of Teen Fitness and Exercise, the Washington Redskins and GSK, the DC Divas (all female semi-pro football!), Chef Mitchell and more.

The program featured me, Juliana McKee, Miss Teen International, the District of Columbia International queens, and the Washington DC Divas – the District’s women’s football team! 

An afternoon of fun activities aimed at helping the children learn about nutrition, exercise and the importance of making good decisions about them was designed to help fight childhood obesity in the District. The day served as a reward for 250 children and the Recreation Centers who participated in the program.

Juliana McKee

Green Initiative

I had the chance to repay one of my corporate sponsors, whose company primarily serves the federal government, by being the “Green Queen” at his recent event! He invited me to speak about the green initiative, recycling and sustainability at his annual product fair.

Environmental sustainability is a very important topic these days and I have become somewhat of an unofficial expert on the topic. I am glad that I could give back to my sponsor and help him at his event; I am still so grateful to all of those that supported me in my quest for the title of Miss Teen International!

It was a well attended event and I met many fascinating and influential people including military and Department of Defense representatives, homeland security experts, and White House officials.

As the day progressed, over 200 people filtered through. They were fascinated with the International System and its strong emphasis on service to the community and others.

Juliana McKee

Miss Teen International Meets LPGA Champion

Recently I traveled to Orlando, Florida, to make appearances on behalf of my platform to support the American Heart Association's Alliance for a Healthier Generation (combating childhood obesity and encouraging children to make good choices concerning their health and life).

While there, I had the delightful opportunity to meet with the LPGA Champion, Paula Creamer.  Paula was as excited to meet Miss Teen International as I was to meet her, and even asked someone to take her picture with me on her blackberry so she could tweet abaout having met Miss Teen International!

Paula was very sweet and humble in person, a real role model. It was an honor to be able to spend time with her!

Juliana McKee

Competitive Image Trunk Show

One of the many perks of becoming an International titleholder is a fabulous wardrobe sponsored by the Competitive Image! This was my third trip to Dothan, Alabama, home of the Competitive Image, within a year, so it is becoming very familiar, and one of my favorite places!! I was so excited to see everyone- Joey, Clay, Terri, and the rest of the Competitive Image crew. Terri helped me refill my Clay Spann cosmetics collection which I was running low on, and Joey helped me pick some beautiful wardrobe pieces that I will wear at Nationals this year!

Sherri Hill was there and it was great to meet her- she was as fabulous as the gowns she designs! Of course, seeing my wonderful Director, Mary Richardson, was a highlight; she is like a second mom to me and I just love getting together with her!

After my shopping extravaganza, my mom and I visited with current teen and Miss contestants. I met Avery, Miss Teen South Carolina International, Ashley, Miss Alabama International, and Dawn, Mrs. Pennsylvania International. I also got a chance to catch up Megan, Miss Teen Southeast International, and Margo, Miss Teen Maryland International. Finally, I had the pleasure of meeting a former titleholder, Patty, Mrs. South Carolina 2008.

Although our appointment was at 1:30pm, we had so much fun socializing with everyone that we didn’t leave until almost 8 o’clock at night!

Juliana McKee